The Nigerian Senate has rejected Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s notification of her intention to resume legislative duties, citing no legal basis for her return.
The Senate’s stance came despite the Federal High Court ruling that declared her six-month suspension unconstitutional.
Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended in March 2025 for alleged misconduct, but the court, presided by Justice Binta Nyako ruled that the suspension was “excessive and violated her constitutional rights”.
Following the court decision, her lawyer, led by Michael Numa (SAN), notified the Senate of her intention to resume duties on July 15, 2025, in letter dated July 11, addressed to the Clerk of the National Assembly.
However, the Nigeria’s upper legislative chamber in a letter addressed to Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s Counsel, Michael Jonathan Numa, SAN, dated July 14, stated that there’s no order made on the 4th day of July, 2025 by Hon. Justice Binta Nyako for the Senate, President of the Senate or National Assembly to comply with.
The letter, obtained by SaharaReporters, was titled “RE: SUIT NO: FHC/ABJ/CS/384/2025 SENATOR NATASHA AKPΡΟΤΙ-UDUAGHAN V. CNA & 3ORS – FORWARDING OF COURT ORDER AND DEMAND FOR COMPLIANCE,” was signed by Charles Yoila, Esq. Director, Litigation and Counselling for the Clerk to the National Assembly.
The Senate stated that the declaratory judgment merely advised “the Defendants to exercise their power to recall Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan and allow her to resume representing the people who sent her to represent them.”
It added, “Accordingly, you may wish to advise your client to await the action of the Senate to exercise their power of recall as advised by the court and in terms with the judgement of the Honourable Court, please.”
SaharaReporters reported that the Senate spokesperson, Senator Yemi Adaramodu, claimed that the Certified True Copy of the court’s Enrolled Order contained no directive for her recall or reinstatement.
“The judgment did not include any express or mandatory order directing the recall or reinstatement of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan,” Adaramodu said.
The Senate emphasised that Akpoti-Uduaghan has no legal standing to resume legislative duties at this time.
Akpoti-Uduaghan’s legal team had in the letter to the Senate, argued that the court’s judgment is binding under Section 318 of the Constitution and demanded her immediate reinstatement.
They cited the court’s directive that the Senate has the power to recall her and allow her to resume representation of her constituents.
However, Akpoti-Uduaghan’s return to the Senate remains uncertain, with the chamber maintaining that there is no legal basis for her resumption.
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