Suspended Senator Natasha is set to storm the Senate today amid controversy.
NewsOnline Nigeria reports that the suspended Senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, is set to stage a controversial return to plenary today, despite strong warnings from the Senate leadership that her suspension remains in full effect.
The lawmaker, who was suspended in March over alleged misconduct, told journalists at a constituency event that she had officially notified the Senate of her intention to resume duties, citing a recent court ruling as justification.
She said, “I have pretty much two months more before the six months expire. However, I have written to the Senate again telling them that I’m resuming on the 22nd, which is on Tuesday, by the special grace of God.”
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Akpoti-Uduaghan maintained that the Federal High Court’s recent judgment supported her return to the Red Chamber, even as the Senate continues to argue otherwise.
“They argue that it’s an order, it’s not an order, but it is a decision,” she said, adding that the suspension hindered her from performing core legislative functions like sponsoring bills and moving motions.
Backing her stance, her counsel, West Idahosa (SAN), said the ruling made it clear that the Senate had overreached its constitutional powers by suspending her for 180 days.
Idahosa said, “When you say the plaintiff should go back, you mean she should go back to work. Now that she said she wants to go and resume, let us see what the reaction of the Senate will be.”
He noted that while his client had appealed certain aspects of the judgment, particularly the conviction for contempt, the decision permitting her return was a significant victory.
“She is still a senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and the judgment has come to an end,” he said.
Her aide, Isah Bala, when contacted by Punch on Monday, could not confirm her exact movement.
He said, “It is not something I can immediately confirm now because we just returned from a programme in Okene.”
However, the Senate has firmly rejected her claim of a judicial green light for resumption.
In a strongly worded statement on Sunday, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Yemi Adaramodu, reiterated that no binding court order compels the upper chamber to lift her suspension.
Adaramodu said, “The Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria wishes to reaffirm, for the third time, that there is no subsisting court order mandating the Senate to recall Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan before the expiration of her suspension.”
The Senate clarified that Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court only gave an advisory urging a review of the suspension and potential amendment of Senate Standing Orders—not a direct recall order.
He stated, “The court explicitly held that the Senate did not breach any law or constitutional provision in imposing the disciplinary measure.”
He further noted that Akpoti-Uduaghan was found guilty of contempt over a social media post and fined ₦5 million, along with a directive to issue a public apology in two national dailies and on her social platforms—actions the Senate claims are yet to be fulfilled.
In a stern warning, Adaramodu said any attempt by the senator to enter the chambers today “under a false pretext” would be considered disruptive and a breach of legislative decorum.
“Until then, she is respectfully advised to stay away from the Senate chambers and allow due process to run its full course,” the Senate spokesman said.
