BREAKING: Court Fines Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan ₦5M, Orders Recall from Suspension

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BREAKING: Court Fines Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan ₦5M, Orders Recall from Suspension

Huge news just dropped from the Federal High Court in Abuja! Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, the Kogi Central rep, has been fined ₦5 million for a satirical Facebook post deemed contemptuous toward Senate President Godswill Akpabio, but the court also ordered her immediate recall from a six-month suspension. Justice Binta Nyako delivered this bombshell ruling today, July 4, 2025, and it’s got everyone talking! Let’s unpack it and get your thoughts.

The drama kicked off after Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension on March 6, 2025, over alleged misconduct during a February plenary session, tied to a heated seat reshuffle spat with Akpabio. She challenged the suspension in a suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/384/2025, naming the Senate, Akpabio, and others as defendants. The case took a twist when Justice Obiora Egwuatu stepped down due to bias claims, and Chief Judge John Tsoho reassigned it to Justice Nyako. Back in April, Nyako had slapped a gag order barring all parties from media interviews or social media posts on the matter—yet Akpoti’s satirical post broke that rule, leading to today’s contempt finding.

Justice Nyako ruled that Akpoti’s post, though claimed to be unrelated to the suspension case, violated the gag order and mocked Akpabio, landing her the ₦5 million fine and a directive to publish a public apology in newspapers and on Facebook within seven days. But here’s the big twist: the judge struck down the six-month suspension as excessive, noting it exceeds the 161-181 days senators are expected to sit yearly, denying her constituents representation. While affirming Akpabio’s right to manage seating and the Senate’s disciplinary powers, Nyako ordered her recall, saying the punishment didn’t align with the 1999 Constitution or Senate Rules.

This ruling comes amid a messy backstory. Akpoti accused Akpabio of inappropriate advances in December 2023 and obstructing her work, claims he denies. Her suspension and a separate defamation suit over alleged assassination plot accusations against Akpabio and Yahaya Bello have fueled a political firestorm. Some see her suspension as discipline; others call it a silencing tactic, especially as one of just four female senators.

So, what’s the vibe out there?

• Was the ₦5M fine and apology fair for the satirical post? Or is it punishing free speech?

• Should the Senate recall Akpoti as ordered, or fight the ruling? Does it protect democracy or weaken authority?

• Is this clash with Akpabio about misconduct or a power play? Where’s the line between discipline and dissent?

• What’s your take on gender dynamics here? Does Akpoti’s case highlight bigger issues for women in politics?

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