The much-awaited copy of the verdict delivered by Justice Binta Nyao of the Federal High Court, Abuja, in the action instituted by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan challenging her suspension by Nigeria’s senate has finally been released, but it appears to have raised some more questions.
Part of Justice Nyako’s verdict reads:
“That to suspend a member for a period of 6 months equals to a suspension of 180 days and this is the same number of days a member is expected to sit in the House representing his people. That I find this excessive and overreaching, noting that it will prevent a member from complying with Section 63 of the 1999 Constitution.
That I am of the opinion that the Senate has the power to review the provisions of the Senate Rules and can even amend Section 14 (2) of the Legislative Houses (Powers & Privileges) Act both for being excessive and overreaching.
That the Senate has the power to and I believe should recall the plaintiff and allow her to resume representing the people who sent her there to represent them.
Click here to download the order.
