Suspended Senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has announced her intention to resume legislative duties on Tuesday, following a Federal High Court ruling that nullified her suspension and ordered her immediate reinstatement.
However, the Senate has said it will not act on the court’s decision until it receives and reviews the Certified True Copy (CTC) of the judgment delivered on July 4, 2025.
Senate spokesperson and Chairman of the Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Yemi Adaramodu, said in a statement on Sunday that although the Senate’s legal team was present in court, the full judgment was not read in open session. He confirmed that the Senate has applied for the CTC for proper legal guidance.
“Pending receipt and examination of the CTC, and based on counsel’s advice, the Senate will refrain from any action that could compromise its legal standing,” Adaramodu stated.
He also noted that no party in the suit had yet been served the enrolled order of the court, making any immediate enforcement legally premature.
Despite this, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan released a video on social media expressing her gratitude to supporters and confirming her plan to return to the Senate. “We shall resume in the Senate on Tuesday by the grace of God,” she declared.
Justice Binta Nyako, who delivered the judgment, ruled that Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension lacked constitutional basis and violated the rights of her constituents to representation. However, the court also found her guilty of contempt over a Facebook post interpreted as a satirical apology to Senate President Godswill Akpabio, which breached a court order against public commentary during the legal proceedings.
The court fined the senator ₦5 million for the contempt.
Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended in March following a heated Senate session over seating arrangements. The controversy escalated when she later accused Senate President Akpabio of sexual harassment during a live TV interview.
Meanwhile, the Kogi Renaissance Group has cautioned the senator against forceful re-entry into the Senate chamber. In a statement signed by spokesperson Segun Faniyi, the group acknowledged that its earlier support for Akpoti-Uduaghan was based on incomplete information and urged her to exercise restraint.
The group also issued an apology to the Senate and its leadership, warning that any confrontational actions could undermine the judiciary’s authority and disrupt legislative order.
The Senate continues to maintain that it will act in accordance with due process and the rule of law.
