Justice Binta Fatima Nyako of the Federal High Court in Abuja, on Friday, faulted the suspension of Kogi State Senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, and nullified it.
Justice Nyako subsequently ordered the Senate to recall the suspended senator because her suspension for six months violated the Constitution and also denied her constituents adequate representation.
The judge made the order while delivering judgment in the suit filed by Akpoti-Uduaghan challenging her six-month suspension by the Senate.
Justice Nyako stated that while the National Assembly has the power to discipline any erring members, such discipline should not be too excessive to the extent of depriving her people of representation.
Justice Nyako explained that the six-month suspension was excessive because it exceeded the 180 days the House is expected to sit.
Meanwhile, the court found her guilty of contempt of court and subsequently fined her the sum of N5 million.
She is also to tender a public apology to the court in two national dailies as well as on her Facebook page.
Details later.
