The Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed a suit seeking to nullify the six-month suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (Kogi Central) from the Senate.
The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/654/2025, was filed by Ovavu Illiyasu and nine others, who argued that the suspension, imposed over alleged misconduct, was unconstitutional and would deprive their senatorial district of adequate representation.
Delivering judgment on Friday, Justice James Omotosho struck out the case, ruling that the plaintiffs lacked locus standi (legal authority) to institute the action.
“The plaintiffs have no standing to bring this suit before the court,” Justice Omotosho held, before dismissing the case for lack of merit.
The Plaintiffs’ Argument
The applicants had asked the court to void the Senate’s action, contending that the suspension of Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan amounted to a denial of representation for the people of Kogi Central.
They further argued that the decision violated constitutional guarantees and should be set aside with immediate effect.
The Court’s Position
The judge, however, maintained that only parties directly affected by the suspension — such as the senator herself — could legally challenge it, not constituents acting on her behalf.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended by the Senate for six months following allegations of misconduct, a decision that sparked heated debate and criticism from her supporters.
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