BREAKING: Nigerian Senate Rejects Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s Attempt to Resume Duties Despite Court Ruling
The Nigerian Senate has officially rejected Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s bid to return to her legislative duties, insisting there is currently no legal basis for her resumption—even after a Federal High Court declared her six-month suspension unconstitutional.
Background: Suspension and Court Ruling
Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended in March 2025 over allegations of misconduct. However, in a landmark judgment, Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court ruled the suspension “excessive” and a violation of her constitutional rights.
The court’s decision declared the six-month suspension unconstitutional and suggested the Senate should exercise its power to recall her.
Following this ruling, Senator Akpoti’s legal team, led by Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Michael Jonathan Numa, notified the National Assembly on July 11, 2025, of her intention to resume duties effective July 15, 2025.
Despite the court ruling, the Nigerian Senate pushed back. In a letter dated July 14, 2025, addressed to Akpoti’s counsel, the Senate’s Director of Litigation and Counselling, Charles Yoila Esq., stated that no formal court order mandating the Senate or its leadership to reinstate Senator Akpoti exists.
The letter emphasized that the court’s judgment was declaratory and merely recommended that the Senate exercise its recall powers, but did not legally compel immediate reinstatement.
Senate spokesperson Senator Yemi Adaramodu reiterated that the court’s Enrolled Order lacks any mandatory directive for Akpoti’s recall or reinstatement. According to him, the Senate maintains that Akpoti currently has no legal standing to resume her legislative responsibilities.
Contrarily, Akpoti’s legal team insists the court’s judgment is binding under Section 318 of the Nigerian Constitution. They argue the Senate must comply with the ruling and allow her immediate reinstatement.
The legal team continues to push for the Senate’s recognition of the court’s directive to restore her position as a representative of her constituents.
