Suspended Senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has announced plans to resume legislative duties in the Senate on Tuesday, following a Federal High Court ruling that nullified her suspension and ordered her immediate reinstatement.
However, the Senate has responded cautiously, stating that it will not take any formal action until it receives and reviews the Certified True Copy (CTC) of the judgment delivered on July 4, 2025.
In a statement on Sunday, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Yemi Adaramodu, clarified that although the Senate’s legal team attended the court proceedings, the full judgment was not read in open session. He said a formal request had been made to obtain the CTC for proper legal interpretation.
Pending receipt and examination of the CTC, and acting on the advice of counsel, the Senate shall refrain from taking any steps that may prejudice its legal position, Adaramodu said.
He added that since no party in the suit had been officially served the enrolled order, no enforcement could lawfully proceed at this time. He reassured Nigerians of the Senate’s commitment to due process and constitutional governance, urging the public to remain calm.
Senator Insists on Returning
Despite the Senate’s position, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan declared in a social media video that she would return to the chamber on Tuesday.
I thank you for your support. I am glad we are victorious today. We shall resume in the Senate on Tuesday by the grace of God, she said.
Her post quickly went viral, drawing widespread attention to the legal and political standoff.
Court Ruling: Suspension Unconstitutional, Contempt Punished
Justice Binta Nyako ruled that Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension lacked constitutional justification and violated the rights of Kogi Central constituents to representation. However, the court also found her guilty of contempt, citing a Facebook post she made during the legal proceedings that mocked Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
The post, deemed a satirical apology, violated an interim injunction issued on March 4, 2025, which barred all parties from commenting publicly or online about the case.
As a result, the court imposed a N5 million fine on the senator for breaching its order.
Political Fallout and Warnings
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan was originally suspended in March 2025 following a heated plenary session over seating arrangements. Days later, she alleged during a live interview that Senate President Akpabio had sexually harassed her—an accusation that further inflamed tensions.
Meanwhile, the Kogi Renaissance Group has warned the senator against any forceful or unauthorized entry into the Senate chamber. In a statement signed by spokesperson Segun Faniyi, the group urged her to respect the court’s ruling in full—including the penalties for contempt.
Any attempt to storm the Senate would escalate tensions and disrespect the judiciary, the group said.
Interestingly, the group admitted it had initially supported Akpoti-Uduaghan based on incomplete information. Following the release of the court’s full judgment, it issued an apology to the Senate and its leadership, calling for restraint and adherence to legal protocols.
We now recognise the need for caution and due process, Faniyi stated.
The coming days are expected to be pivotal as both the Senate and Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan navigate the fallout of the court’s mixed ruling.