‘I will resume legislative duties on Tuesday’, Akpoti-Uduaghan writes NASS

By Ayox Ojo/Abuja

The suspended senator representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has written to formally inform the management of the National Assembly of her intention to resume legislative duties on Tuesday, 15, July.

She wrote the letter following declaration of her suspension unconstitutional by court.

The letter dated 11 July was addressed to the Clerk of the National Assembly.

In the letter by her lawyer, Michael Numa (SAN), Akpoti-Uduaghan urged the Clark to take steps to facilitate her resumption for legislative duties at the National Assembly in compliance with the judgment of court presided by Binta Nyako on Tuesday, July, 15.

She urged the National Assembly to treat the notice with urgency to stop further infringement on her constitutional rights or contempt for the court’s authority.

“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.

“This finding aligns with long-standing judicial precedent as well as the provisions of Order 66(4) of the Senate Standing Orders. 2023 which does not contemplates a suspension exceeding a period of 14days.

“In consequence, Her Lordship directed that the Senate has the power and indeed should exercise that power to recall Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan and allow her to resume representation of the constituents who duly elected her to the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. This order constitutes a binding decision within the meaning of Section 318 of the Constitution,” the letter said.

“Accordingly, we respectfully demand that you give immediate effect to the clear and binding Order of the Federal High Court by taking all necessary steps to facilitate Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s resumption of her legislative duties forthwith, in full compliance with the Court’s judgment.

“Please, also take notice that Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan intends to resume her legislative duties on Tuesday, the 15th day of July, 2025.

“We trust that this matter will be treated with the urgency and seriousness it demands, in order to avoid any further breach of the Plaintiff’s constitutional rights or disregard for the authority of the Court.”

Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended by the Senate over alleged misconduct during the plenary of 20 February, 2025.

She was suspended for six months.

However, she later accused Senate President Godswill Akpabio of sexual harassments while she challenged her suspension in court.

Senate yet to receive CTC on Akpoti-Uduaghan’s court judgment

While the Senate last acknowledged the court judgment on Sen. Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, it said it has not to receive the Certified True Copy (CTC) of the judgment.

The Chairman, Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Sen. Yemi Adaramodu, said in a statement last Sunday that the CTC of the judgment was necessary for a thorough review and informed determination of the next course of action.

He stated that pending receipt of the CTC, the senate would refrain from taking any step that might prejudice its legal position regarding Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension.

“The senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria acknowledges that judgment was delivered on July 4th by the Federal High Court, Abuja, in the suit instituted by Sen. Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.

“However, the senate is yet to be served with the certified true copy (CTC) of the said judgment.

“Our legal representatives, who were in attendance at the proceedings, have confirmed that the complete judgment was not read in open court.

” Consequently, we have formally applied for the CTC to enable a thorough review and informed determination of the appropriate legal response, particularly in view of the uncertainty surrounding whether the court made any direct order nullifying the suspension of Sen. Akpoti-Uduaghan.

“Since no party to the case has been officially served the enrolled order of the judgement, none can enforce any perceived order or relief.

“Pending receipt and examination of the CTC, and acting on the advice of counsel, the senate shall refrain from taking any step that may prejudice its legal position,” he said.

Adaramodu expressed the senate’s commitment to upholding the rule of law, stressing that it would act strictly in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria upon full clarification of the court’s pronouncements.