Natasha’s appeal reveals no court order for recall – Akpabio’s aide

Sir Kenny Okolugbo, media strategist to Senate President Godswill Akpabio, has faulted Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s controversial return to the National Assembly, describing it as a calculated political stunt unsupported by any court order.

In an interview, Okolugbo insisted that there was no directive from the Federal High Court ordering her reinstatement.

He noted that neither the Senate President nor the Clerk of the National Assembly received any formal court order mandating her return, contrary to claims by the senator.

“There was no express order setting aside her suspension,” he said. “The judgment delivered by Justice Binta Nyako did not direct the Senate to recall her. Even her own legal documents, particularly Ground 23 of her appeal, show that she was aware no such relief was granted.”

Quoting directly from her appeal in Akpoti-Uduaghan vs Clerk of the National Assembly & Ors, Okolugbo cited: “The learned trial judge erred in law and abdicated her judicial duty… failing to expressly make a clear pronouncement SET ASIDE and/or NULLIFY same accordingly.”

According to him, this confirms that the trial court upheld aspects of the Senate’s disciplinary powers and did not void the suspension.

“Despite this, she appeared at the National Assembly gates with supporters, cameras and noise, pretending she had a judicial mandate. That was false and misleading,” he said.

Okolugbo said if there had been a valid recall order, it would have gone through proper legislative procedure — transmitted to the Clerk, brought to the floor, deliberated upon, and if approved, enforced by the Sergeant-at-Arms. “Instead, she bypassed the process for optics. The Senate is not a reality TV set,” he said.

Dismissing claims that Akpabio acted politically, Okolugbo said the suspension followed constitutional provisions and Senate rules.

“Section 60 of the Constitution and Rule 14(2) of the Senate Standing Orders empower the chamber to regulate its conduct. Senator Natasha was found in breach of Orders 6.1 and 6.2. Her suspension was not personal — it followed due process,” he said.

He also described the senator’s string of allegations — including sexual harassment, assassination plots, organ trafficking, and financial misconduct — as “reckless, unfounded and inconsistent.”

“She first praised the Senate President after the alleged harassment incident, then suddenly turned around when she lost her committee seat. Her organ harvesting accusation involved a woman who died in 2022, years after Akpabio’s wife’s illness in 2016. It defies logic,” he said.

On her claim that Akpabio has pending EFCC cases, he responded, “That’s false. There’s no such case. She throws outrageous accusations, hoping they’ll trend. It’s irresponsible and damages public trust.”

Addressing concerns about her constituency, he said legislative work continued during her suspension.

“The Federal Medical Centre, Ihima, was passed during this period and awaits presidential assent. Her Gold Reserve and Diaspora Banking bills are progressing. Her constituents were not abandoned,” he stated.

He revealed that the Senate resolution of March 6 provided for her reinstatement upon a public apology.

“Instead, she chose confrontation. Even the Brekete Family platform she visited advised her to apologise, but she refused,” he said.

Okolugbo warned that such conduct undermines genuine female participation in politics.

“Using gender as a shield for misconduct hurts the credibility of future complaints. With only four female senators, this is not the model we need,” he said.

He blamed sections of the media for sensationalism, saying, “Some journalists admitted they knew the truth but preferred drama. That’s unethical. Ground 23 exposed the deception. She lied about the court backing her return.”

He concluded that a simple apology could still resolve the matter. “If she retracts her claims and apologises, it ends. But if not, legal processes will follow. She has deceived the public long enough.”