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Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan Set to Resume Duties July 15 After Court Lifts Suspension

Suspended Senator and former Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Diaspora and NGOs, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (PDP, Kogi Central), is set to resume legislative duties on Tuesday, July 15, 2025, following a Federal High Court ruling that nullified her six-month suspension.

In a letter dated July 11, sent through her legal representatives, M.J. Numa & Partners LLP, the senator officially notified the Senate of the court judgment and demanded immediate compliance. The letter, titled “RE: SUIT NO: FHC/ABJ/CS/384/2025: Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan v. The Clerk of the National Assembly & Ors.: Forwarding of Court Order and Demand for Compliance”, was signed by Michael Jonathan Numa, SAN.

The letter cited Section 63 of the 1999 Constitution, arguing that the suspension had deprived the senator of her constitutional role and the rights of her constituents to full representation.

“After a thorough consideration of the facts and applicable law, the Honourable Court made several findings and orders, including, notably, a definitive pronouncement in Order 10 that the six-month suspension imposed on the Plaintiff was excessive, overreaching, and inconsistent with her ability to comply with the provisions of Section 63 of the 1999 Constitution,” the statement read.

The court, presided over by Justice Binta Nyako, ruled that the suspension was unconstitutional and ordered Akpoti-Uduaghan’s immediate reinstatement, declaring the Senate’s action both excessive and a violation of democratic representation.

Her legal team urged the Senate to give “immediate effect” to the binding judgment and take all necessary steps to facilitate her return to the Red Chamber without delay.

The reinstatement of Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan is expected to set a significant judicial precedent on legislative discipline, potentially redefining the scope of the National Assembly’s authority to suspend its members.

By Haruna Yakubu Haruna