…Orders her to publicly apologise to Senate and Judiciary over satirical Facebook post
The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, on Thursday, delivered a landmark judgment affirming the constitutional powers of the Nigerian Senate to discipline any of its members who violate the Senate’s Standing Orders, while also finding Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan guilty of contempt of court.
In the case filed by Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan to challenge her referral to the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions as well as her subsequent suspension, the court dismissed her claims and resolved all substantive issues against her.
Contempt and Sanctions
The court upheld the application filed by the 3rd Defendant (Senate President Godswill Akpabio) bordering on contempt. The court found that the satirical “apology” posted by the Plaintiff on her official Facebook page on 27th April 2025 was a clear violation of its restraining order made on 4th April 2025, which barred all parties from making public comments on the matter.
Justice Binta Nyako ruled that the publication was contemptuous, deliberately ridiculing both the Senate President and the judicial process. Accordingly, the court imposed a ₦5 million fine payable to the Federal Government of Nigeria and directed Senator Natasha to publish a public apology within seven days in two national newspapers and on the same Facebook page where the contemptuous publication was made.
Preliminary Objections and Originating Summons
The preliminary objections filed by the 2nd and 3rd Respondents succeeded in part. The court acknowledged that the originating summons was filed before the plaintiff’s suspension. However, it agreed that the Plaintiff had a right to take preemptive legal steps in protection of her fundamental rights, particularly given the nature of the issues raised.
Substantive Ruling: Senate’s Disciplinary Powers Upheld
On the core issues raised in the substantive suit, the court resolved all the questions for determination against the Plaintiff. It ruled emphatically that:
The Nigerian Senate has the constitutional authority to discipline its members for violating its Standing Orders.
The action of the Senate President on 20th February 2025, in reallocating Senator Natasha’s seat, was lawful and within his administrative powers under Section 6(1) of the Senate Standing Rules.
A Senator is only permitted to address the plenary from the seat formally assigned, and the Plaintiff acted contrary to Section 6(2) of the Rules when she attempted to speak from an unallocated seat.
The referral of Senator Natasha to the Senate Ethics Committee for disciplinary action was valid and appropriate, arising from her breach of the Senate Standing Orders.
Suspension Deemed Excessive but Lawful
While affirming the Senate’s power to suspend erring members, the court expressed concern about the six-month suspension imposed on the Plaintiff, describing it as excessive considering the number of legislative sitting days within a calendar year. The judge emphasized that disciplinary sanctions must not be disproportionate to the misconduct nor used in a manner that would deny constituents their constitutional right to representation.
This ruling has far-reaching implications for legislative governance, internal parliamentary discipline, and judicial enforcement of sub judice restrictions. It underscores the judiciary’s deference to the autonomy of legislative bodies in managing their internal affairs, while also upholding the sanctity of court orders and the rule of law.
Legal analysts have described the decision as a watershed in the evolving jurisprudence on separation of powers, parliamentary discipline, and the limits of digital expression by public office holders.
Leave a Reply