By Abiola Olawale
The Nigerian Senate has issued a s warning to suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central senatorial district of Kogi state to refrain from attempting to resume legislative duties at the National Assembly until her six-month suspension expires.
The directive, conveyed to her by Senator Yemi Adaramodu, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, comes after the suspended senator said she intends to return to the Senate on Tuesday, July 22, 2025, citing a recent Federal High Court judgment.
While insisting that no valid court order mandates her immediate recall, Adaramodu emphasized that the Senate remains committed to due process and the rule of law.
He said: “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.
“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.”
Recall that Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended on March 6, 2025, following allegations of bordering on beach of Senate rules, including allegedly making unsubstantiated claims of sexual harassment against the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio.However, the Federal High Court in Abuja, presided over by Justice Binta Nyako, ruled on July 4, 2025, that the six-month suspension imposed on Akpoti-Uduaghan in March was “excessive, unconstitutional, and a violation of her constituents’ rights.”
The court ordered her immediate reinstatement, citing procedural flaws in the Senate’s disciplinary action.
