The Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed a suit filed against Senate President Godswill Akpabio concerning the suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan
Delivering judgment on Friday, Justice James Omotosho ruled that the ten plaintiffs who brought the case lacked the legal standing, or locus standi, to challenge the Senate’s decision. He struck out the suit, noting that it was without merit.
The case, FHC/ABJ/CS/654/2025, was filed by Ovavu Illiyasu and nine others, who had asked the court to nullify the six-month suspension imposed on Akpoti-Uduaghan over alleged misconduct. The plaintiffs argued that the suspension would leave Kogi Central Senatorial District underrepresented.
Justice Omotosho, however, held that the plaintiffs were not in a position to institute the action before the court.
Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended by the Senate in July following accusations of misconduct. She later challenged the suspension in court, and in September, Justice Omotosho ordered her immediate reinstatement, declaring the Senate’s action unlawful.
The Senate subsequently appealed the decision and sought a stay of execution. The appeal is currently pending before the Court of Appeal.
