Suspended Senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, failed to return to the Senate on Tuesday despite a court ruling last Friday that nullified her six-month suspension. She also did not comply with the court’s directive to issue a public apology in two national dailies and on her social media platforms.
In a viral video over the weekend, Akpoti-Uduaghan had assured her supporters she would resume legislative duties following the Federal High Court judgment that declared her suspension unconstitutional and excessive. The court also ordered her reinstatement and imposed a ₦5 million fine on her for contempt, following a Facebook post deemed to have breached a prior gag order.
However, her anticipated return on Tuesday did not materialize. This came amid heightened security presence at the National Assembly, with traffic backed up to the Federal Secretariat and visitors subjected to strict screening. Though officials denied the security boost was linked to the senator, her absence fueled speculations that she may have been privately warned to stay away.
The speculation was further intensified by a viral letter, allegedly from the Senate’s legal counsel, which claimed the court judgment did not equate to an enforceable order. The letter, purportedly signed by Paul Daudu, urged Akpoti-Uduaghan’s lawyer, J.S. Okutepa (SAN), to advise his client against resuming legislative duties pending the official release of the enrolled court order. It also warned of possible unrest in the Senate should she return prematurely.
Daudu, however, publicly discredited the letter, describing it as fake. In a post on his verified Facebook page, he denied authoring the document, calling it a misrepresentation and emphasizing his deep respect for Okutepa, whom he referred to as a mentor.
Akpoti-Uduaghan was originally suspended by the Senate in March after a heated plenary session in which she accused Senate President Godswill Akpabio of sexual harassment—a claim that triggered outrage and widespread condemnation from civil society and human rights groups. In response, the Senate imposed a six-month suspension and later filed a contempt suit over a satirical Facebook post made by the senator on April 27. The court ruled that the post constituted a deliberate violation of its previous order and imposed a ₦5 million fine, alongside the apology directive.
As of Tuesday evening, the required apology had not appeared in any national dailies or on the senator’s social media pages.
Meanwhile, the Senate has initiated steps to strengthen its disciplinary framework. A bill to amend the Legislative Houses (Powers & Privileges) Act was introduced on Tuesday, sponsored by Senator Shehu Kaka, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Special Duties. The proposed legislation aims to define the duration and scope of sanctions imposed on erring lawmakers, a provision currently absent in the existing Act.
According to Senator Kaka, the amendment seeks to “introduce the required specifics on disciplinary procedures” and is expected to undergo second reading on Wednesday.
Also expected on Wednesday is the Certified True Copy (CTC) of the Federal High Court’s judgment, which Senate insiders say will guide the upper chamber’s next course of action on Akpoti-Uduaghan’s status.
