Suspended Senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has announced plans to return to the National Assembly on Tuesday, following a court ruling that nullified her suspension and ordered her reinstatement.
However, the Senate has stated it will not act on the court’s directive until it receives and reviews the Certified True Copy (CTC) of the judgment delivered on July 4, 2025.
In a statement on Sunday, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Senator Yemi Adaramodu, confirmed that although the Senate’s legal representatives were present in court, the full judgment was not publicly read.
He noted that an official request for the CTC had been submitted for proper legal review.
“Until we receive and evaluate the Certified True Copy of the judgment, and based on legal counsel, the Senate will refrain from taking steps that could jeopardize its legal standing,” Adaramodu said.
He added that as none of the parties involved had been formally served with the enrolled order of the judgment, no enforcement action could yet be lawfully undertaken.
The Senate called for calm and reaffirmed its commitment to the rule of law, urging the public to allow the legal process to take its course.
Meanwhile, Akpoti-Uduaghan has reaffirmed her intention to resume her legislative duties this week.
In a video shared on social media, which gained wide attention on Sunday, she expressed gratitude to her supporters and confirmed her return to the Senate on Tuesday.
“I appreciate your unwavering support. I’m happy to announce that we have secured victory. By God’s grace, I will resume in the Senate on Tuesday,” she said.
AFRIPOST had reported that the Federal High Court, presided over by Justice Binta Nyako, ruled that the senator’s suspension lacked constitutional basis and must be reversed.
However, the court also found Akpoti-Uduaghan in contempt over a satirical Facebook post addressing Senate President Godswill Akpabio, which breached a prior court order.
Justice Nyako ruled that the post violated an interim injunction issued on March 4, 2025, which barred public commentary on the ongoing legal dispute surrounding her suspension.
As a result, the court imposed a fine of ₦5 million on the senator.
Akpoti-Uduaghan had been suspended in March following a heated Senate session that became disorderly due to a dispute over seating arrangements.
The controversy intensified days later when she accused Senate President Akpabio of sexual harassment during a televised interview.
In her judgment, Justice Nyako emphasized that the prolonged suspension was procedurally wrong and effectively denied the people of Kogi Central their constitutional right to representation in the Senate.
Leave a Reply