…We’re yet to receive Certified True Copy – Senate
By Anthony Ochela, Abuja
Suspended federal lawmaker representing Kogi Central Senatorial District in the National Assembly, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has vowed to return to the Senate following an order of a Federal High Court, Abuja, presided over by Justice Binta Nyako requested the Senate to recall her.
Senator Natasha’s position on the court recall order has fueled strong possibility of fresh face off with the leadership of the red chamber after an earlier disagreement over a sitting arrangement that escalated into ferocious accusations and counter accusations with President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio and eventually led to the Kogi Senator’s suspension
Akpoti-Uduaghan, in a short viral video on various social media platforms also appreciated her supporters, saying “Thank you for your support. I am glad we are victorious today I am reinstated by court. And we shall resume at the Senate on Tuesday”.
Her statement is apparently in reaction to a court ruling that nullified her suspension.
AljazirahNigeria reports that Justice Binta Nyako had last Friday in Abuja ordered the reinstatement of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
The Senate had in early March given her six months without pay over alleged misconduct during plenary by violating the Senate Standing Orders.
The resolution was sequel to the consideration and adoption of the report of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct and Public Petitions during plenary.
The committee’s Chairman, Senator Neda Imasuen, presented the report, signed by all the 14 members of the panel, which recommended a seven-point punishment for the vocal federal lawmaker.
It would be recalled that the committee’s report found her guilty of all allegations against her, after she failed to attend the public hearing and defend herself.
However, the committee recommended that she might not serve the entire six months’ suspension if she tendered a formal apology to the Senate.
Sequel to the suspension, Akpoti-Uduaghan in suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/384/2025, approached the court challenging the legality of the Senate’s suspension on her.
Justice Nyako in a ruling held that although the Senate possesses the constitutional power to discipline its members, such actions must not infringe on the rights of constituents to be adequately represented and faulted Chapter Eight of the Senate Standing Rules and Section 14 of the Legislative Houses (Powers and Privileges) Act for not stipulating a clear limit on the duration of suspensions, describing both as overreaching.
The Senate constitutionally mandated to sit for 181 days annually, the 180-day suspension imposed on Akpoti-Uduaghan effectively stripped the people of Kogi Central of legislative representation for nearly the entire session the court noted.
“The court is not denying the Senate’s right to discipline its members”, “but, such sanctions must be reasonable and must not undermine the constitutional rights of citizens to be represented in parliament”, says Justice Nyako.
Also the judge dismissed an objection raised by Akpabio, who argued that the matter was an internal legislative issue and therefore outside the court’s jurisdiction.
Therefore, ruled otherwise, affirming the court’s authority to hear the case.
The court also found Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan guilty of contempt for a satirical apology she posted on Facebook on April 27, which was deemed to violate an existing order barring parties from making public comments on the case.
In this vein, the court of fined her ₦5 million and directed her to issue a formal apology within seven days in two national newspapers and on her Facebook page.
Meanwhile, the Senate yesterday declared that it is is yet to get Certified True Copy of the judgment ordering for recall of Senator Natasha Akpoti – Uduaghan.
The Senate in a statement signed by its Chairman on Media and Public Affairs, Senator Yemi Adaramodu ( Ekiti South), said no directive has been given to Senator Natasha to resume since, certified true copy of the Judgement is yet to be received by it.
The statement reads, “The Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria acknowledges that judgment was delivered on July 4, 2025 by the Federal High Court, Abuja, in the suit instituted by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.”
By implication the Senate still stands on its earlier decision to put on hold the Kogi Central Senator’s suspension.
