The Senate has declined Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s move to resume legislative duties, insisting that there is no binding court order mandating her reinstatement.
Recall that a Federal High Court recently declared Akpoti-Uduaghan’s six-month suspension unconstitutional.
The presiding judge, Justice Binta Nyako, had ruled that the suspension was “excessive and violated her constitutional rights.”
Following the judgment, the senator’s legal team, led by Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Michael Numa, wrote to the Clerk of the National Assembly in a letter dated July 11, 2025, notifying the Senate of her intention to resume on July 15.
However, in a response dated July 14 and addressed to Numa, the Senate maintained that no specific order had been issued compelling compliance. The letter, titled “RE: SUIT NO: FHC/ABJ/CS/384/2025 – SENATOR NATASHA AKPOTI-UDUAGHAN V. CNA & 3 ORS – FORWARDING OF COURT ORDER AND DEMAND FOR COMPLIANCE,” was signed by Charles Yoila, Esq., Director of Litigation and Counselling for the Clerk to the National Assembly.
“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 stated.
The Senate further clarified that the judgment merely offered advice, not compulsion, stating:
“The Defendants [Senate] are advised to exercise their power to recall Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan and allow her to resume representing the people who sent her to represent them.”
“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 judgment of the Honourable Court, please.”
Speaking on the development, Senate spokesperson, Senator Yemi Adaramodu, reinforced the chamber’s position.
He said, “The judgment did not include any express or mandatory order directing the recall or reinstatement of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.”
Akpoti-Uduaghan’s legal team, however, contends that the court’s ruling is binding under Section 318 of the Constitution and should be acted upon without delay. In their letter, they cited the court’s recognition of the Senate’s power to recall her and argued that the refusal to comply undermines her constituents’ right to representation.
The senator was suspended in March 2025 over allegations of misconduct.
