BREAKING: Federal High Court Delivers Judgment on Suit Against Akpabio Over Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s Suspension

The Federal High Court in Abuja has given its ruling in a case connected to the suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, after a suit was brought against Senate President Godswill Akpabio.

Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed a suit filed against Senate President Godswill Akpabio, which challenged the legality of the six-month suspension imposed on Kogi Central Senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, over alleged misconduct.

The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/654/2025 and filed by Ovavu Illiyasu and nine others, was struck out on the grounds that the plaintiffs “lacked locus standi” to institute the matter.

The plaintiffs had argued that their “Senatorial District would be shortchanged” by the suspension, urging the court to void the decision and order her immediate recall.

Delivering judgment on Friday, Justice Omotosho held that the 10 plaintiffs had no legal standing to bring the action before the court and therefore dismissed the suit for “lack of merit.”

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Meanwhile, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan officially returned to her office at the National Assembly on September 23, following the expiration of her six-month suspension. The office, located in Suite 2.05 of the Senate Wing, had been sealed since March 6, 2025, when the suspension was imposed for alleged violation of Senate standing rules.

Her office was reopened by the Deputy Director of the Sergeant-at-Arms, Alabi Adedeji, signaling her full return to legislative duties. Supporters, who had accompanied her from the FCT High Court—where she is also facing a defamation case filed by Akpabio and former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello—celebrated her return.

Though the Senate is currently on recess, her supporters described the reopening of her office as the end of her suspension ordeal.

Akpoti-Uduaghan had earlier challenged the suspension in court, seeking to resume duties before its expiration. However, the Senate insisted that the matter would only be revisited once the court process was concluded.

The Senate has defended its decision, stressing that it acted to “adhere to its rules” and safeguard the integrity of the institution.