Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, the senator representing Kogi central, says she will return to her legislative responsibilities in the red chamber on Tuesday.
On March 6, Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended by the senate for six months over allegations of gross misconduct.
The suspension followed the adoption of a report by the committee on ethics, privileges and public petitions after the Kogi senator had an altercation with Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
Akpoti-Uduaghan challenged the suspension in a suit filed before the Abuja federal high court.
Delivering judgment on Friday, Binta Nyako, the presiding judge, upheld the senate’s authority to suspend members who violate rules, including Akpoti-Uduaghan.
However, the court criticised the six-month suspension, calling it “overreaching” and “excessive”.
The judge explained that the senate’s relevant laws did not specify the maximum period for suspending a serving lawmaker.
She noted that since lawmakers are constitutionally required to sit for 181 days in each legislative session, the six-month suspension practically denied Akpoti-Uduaghan the chance to fulfil her legislative obligations for almost the entire session.
According to the judge, this amounted to depriving her constituents of their right to representation.
“A senator is expected to represent her people,” the judge stated.
“I am of the view that the senate has the power to amend that rule,” Nyako added, saying the senate “can and should” consider reinstating the plaintiff.
The court also imposed a N5 million fine on the senator for violating a previous court order by posting a satirical apology to Akpabio on her Facebook page.
Reacting to the ruling, Akpoti-Uduaghan described it as a victory.
“I thank you for your support. I am glad we are victorious today. We shall resume in the Senate on Tuesday by the grace of God,” she told her supporters.
