Court Slams N5 Million Fine on Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, Dismisses Recall Claims

                                        

 Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan

The Federal High Court in Abuja has delivered a judgment in the suit filed by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan challenging her six-month suspension from the Senate. In a ruling that has sparked widespread interest, the court found Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan guilty of contempt for disobeying a court order not to make public commentaries on the matter while it was still in court.

As a result, she was fined N5 million and ordered to publish apologies to the court in two national dailies and on her Facebook page within seven days. Failure to comply with the order may lead to a prison term.

The court also affirmed the Senate's powers to punish its members and determined that the Senate President reserves the power to allocate seats to members of the Senate. The judge noted that Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan's refusal to relocate to her allocated seat was an act of indiscipline.

Contrary to reports, the court did not order or recommend Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan's recall to the Senate. Instead, the judge merely observed that the six-month suspension handed to the senator amounts to 180 days, which could lead to her seat being declared vacant, and suggested that the Senate might consider reviewing that aspect of its law.

The court's ruling has raised questions about Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan's credibility, as she had misrepresented the court's decision to her followers, claiming that the court had ordered her recall and even fixed a date for her resumption. The Nigerian mainstream media was also criticized for spreading fake news about her recall.

As the news unfolds, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan's legal team is expected to continue pursuing her appeal and potential stay of execution. The Senate will also review the Certified True Copy (CTC) of the judgment and determine the next line of action.