Suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan is preparing to return to plenary on Tuesday, despite the Senate’s insistence that her six-month suspension remains in effect.
The lawmaker representing Kogi Central, who was suspended in March over alleged misconduct, announced over the weekend that she had notified the Senate of her intent to resume duties, citing a recent court ruling that described her suspension as “excessive and unconstitutional.”
“I have written to the Senate again, telling them that I’m resuming on the 22nd,” she said at a constituency event. “The court did decide on the matter. They argue it’s an opinion and not an order, but it is a decision.”
Akpoti-Uduaghan’s lawyer, Senior Advocate of Nigeria West Idahosa, argued that the court ruling affirms her right to return, even if the decision did not explicitly compel her reinstatement. He stated that attendance at plenary is a legislative function and the ruling implies she should resume work.
“The suspension was beyond constitutional limits. The judgment means she should go back to work,” Idahosa said. “Let’s see how the Senate reacts.”
However, the Senate remains firm. On Sunday, Senate spokesperson Yemi Adaramodu reiterated that the upper chamber has not received any binding order mandating Akpoti-Uduaghan’s recall.
He clarified that Justice Binta Nyako’s judgment was only advisory, encouraging the Senate to review its rules and consider reducing the suspension. According to Adaramodu, “the court held that the Senate acted within its powers and did not breach any constitutional provisions.”
Adaramodu also noted that the court had fined the senator ₦5 million for contempt over a social media post mocking Senate President Godswill Akpabio, which violated an earlier court injunction. The judgment also directed her to publicly apologise — a condition the Senate says she has yet to fulfil.
“The Senate will consider the court’s advisory in due time and communicate its position to Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan,” Adaramodu said. “Until then, she is advised to stay away from the chambers.”
Justice Nyako had ruled that the Senate’s six-month suspension infringed on the rights of Akpoti-Uduaghan’s constituents to representation but stopped short of ordering an immediate recall.
With both sides holding firm, tensions are high ahead of Tuesday’s plenary session, setting the stage for a potential legal and constitutional standoff between the legislative and judicial branches.
