- CUPP Hails Judgement As Victory For Legislative Independence
By National Record, with Agency report
THE EXECUTIVE Director of Centre for Transparency Advocacy (CTA), Faith Nwadishi, has urged the Senate to respect the Federal High Court judgment ordering it to recall the suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central Senatorial District on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
It could be recalled that Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended by the upper chamber on March 6, 2025 over alleged violation of the Senate Standing Orders 2023 (as amended).
A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, presided over by Justice Binta Nyako, on Friday, however ordered the senate to recall Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, describing the six-month suspension slammed on the lawmaker by the senate as “excessive”.
Reacting to the judgment, Nwadishi said: “Since it is a court pronouncement, I expect the senate to respect the judgment because there’s nobody who is above the law. The court is there, more like an arbiter; that is, the middle institution, to help to settle issues.
“So, I’m also happy that the court has taken that decision that they should recall her. In my opinion, I don’t think that this matter should have gone for as long as it went. I just ask that the leadership of the senate should quickly obey that court judgment.”
Court fines Akpoti-Uduaghan N5m
Justice Nyako, in her judgment, also awarded a fine of N5 million against Akpoti-Uduaghan for her “Satirical Apology” message which she posted on her Facebook page on April 27 in disobedience of the valid order of the court.
Justice Nyako also ordered Akpoti-Uduaghan to tender an unreserved apology in two national dailies and on her Facebook page within seven days of the order before she can purge herself of the contemptuous act against the court.
Akpoti-Uduaghan had, in a suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/384/2025 and filed on March 3, dragged the clerk of the National Assembly and the Senate; the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio to court.
Equally joined in the suit seeking court order to stop them from sanctioning her over her alleged misconduct was the Chairman, Senate Committee on Ethics, Public Petitions and Privileges, Sen. Neda Imasuen.
Judgment Victory For Legislative Independence – CUPP
Meanwhile, the Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) has described the court judgment as a victory for legislative independence.
The National Secretary of CUPP, Mr Peter Ameh, state this while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Friday.
Reacting to the judgment, Ameh said that the coalition, “jubilantly welcomes the historic court ruling, mandating the senate to immediately recall the unjustly-suspended Sen. Akpoti-Uduaghan. This monumental victory is not merely a personal vindication for Sen. Akpoti-Uduaghan but a resounding triumph for legislative independence.
“It is a beacon of hope forged in unyielding courage and a powerful rebuke of the tactics employed by the senate leadership.”
Ameh added that the court pronouncement will serve as an unequivocal end to what he called the senate’s recklessness threatening to erode the foundation of the country.
“We extend our heartfelt congratulations to Sen. Akpoti-Uduaghan and salute all patriotic Nigerians who boldly spoke out,” he said.
