A clash may be brewing in Nigeria’s 10th Senate as suspended Kogi Central Senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, insists on resuming her legislative duties on Tuesday despite warnings from the Senate leadership that her six-month suspension remains in force.
The looming face-off stems from conflicting interpretations of a recent Abuja High Court ruling on her suspension. While Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan insists that the court invalidated her suspension and ordered her recall, the Senate maintains that the ruling offered no such directive and was merely advisory.
Speaking to journalists during a training programme in her Kogi State constituency over the weekend, Akpoti-Uduaghan affirmed her intention to return to the Red Chamber on Tuesday. She stated that she had formally written to the Senate to notify them of her resumption plans.
She said, “I have pretty much two months left before the six months expire. However, I have written to the Senate again telling them that I’m resuming on the 22nd, which is Tuesday, by the special grace of God. I will be there, because the court did make a decision on that. Now, they argue that it’s not an order—but it is a decision.”
She expressed regret that her suspension has hindered her legislative responsibilities and representation, particularly in areas where her role as a senator is crucial.
In a swift reaction, however, the Senate warned the suspended lawmaker against attempting to resume duties prematurely. Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Senator Yemi Adaramodu, stated on Sunday that no valid court order mandates the senator’s immediate recall.
Adaramodu said the Senate remains committed to due process and the rule of law.
“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,” he said.
According to him, the Senate had issued two prior public statements following the court ruling and release of the Certified True Copy of the Enrolled Order, both clarifying that no positive or binding directive was issued regarding her reinstatement.
“Rather, the Honourable Court gave a non-binding advisory, urging the Senate to consider amending its Standing Orders and reviewing the suspension, which it opined might be excessive.
“The Court, however, explicitly held that the Senate did not breach any law or constitutional provision in imposing the disciplinary measure based on the senator’s misconduct during plenary,” he added.
The Senate further noted that the same court found Akpoti-Uduaghan guilty of contempt and imposed penalties—including a N5 million fine payable to the Federal Government and a mandatory apology in two national newspapers and on her Facebook page, a directive she has reportedly not complied with.
“It is therefore surprising and legally untenable that Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, while on appeal and having filed a motion for stay against the valid and binding orders made against her, is attempting to act upon an imaginary order of recall that does not exist,” the Senate spokesman said.
He warned that any attempt by the suspended senator to “storm the Senate next Tuesday under a false pretext” would be premature, disruptive, and a breach of legislative order.
“The Senate will, at the appropriate time, consider the advisory opinion of the court on both amending the Standing Orders of the Senate, her recall, and communicate the same thereof to Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan.
“Until then, she is respectfully advised to stay away from the Senate chambers and allow due process to run its full course,” the statement concluded.