By Abiola Olawale
The Nigerian Senate has outlined conditions for the reinstatement of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central, after a Federal High Court in Abuja nullified her six-month suspension on July 4, 2025.
The court, presided over by Justice Binta Nyako, had declared the suspension “excessive” and a violation of the constitutional rights of her constituents to representation.
However, while reacting to the development, the Senate demanded that Natasha fulfill certain obligations, including issuing a formal apology, as a prerequisite for her return.
The Senate Spokesperson, Yemi Adaramodu, who spoke with the press at the weekend, said the court’s ruling did not override the Senate’s constitutional powers to discipline its members.
Adaramodu maintained that the Senate expects Natasha to address the allegations of misconduct that led to her suspension.
He said: “Which judgment are we appealing when they (the court) said the Senate has the right to discipline its erring members? The court has not ousted the Senate’s statutory right to punish any erring senator.
“It was established that the senator in question erred. The court has already told her to go and do some things, like restitution, so after the restitution, the Senate will now sit again and consider the content of that restitution, and that will inform our next line of action.
“The onus is no more on us now; it is already on her doorstep to go and apologise. Once she does that, then the Senate will sit and determine how to deal with her matter.
“The first reaction now will not be from us, the court has ruled, so once she takes the step to redress and does what the court has directed her to do, then the Senate will sit and look at the content of her reaction as prescribed by the court.”
The New Diplomat reports that in March, Natasha was suspended by the Red Chamber for six months for alleged gross misconduct, following her face-off with Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, over sitting arrangements.
Tensions intensified when Akpoti-Uduaghan, on national television, accused the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio of punishing her for rejecting his alleged sexual advances.
