Suspended senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has written to the Senate, demanding immediate compliance with a Federal High Court judgment that voided her six-month suspension, describing it as “excessive, overreaching, and unconstitutional.”
Akpoti-Uduaghan’s legal team, M.J Numa & Partners LLP, in a letter dated July 11, urged the National Assembly to respect the judgment delivered by Justice Binta Nyako, which ruled that the Senate’s action lacked constitutional backing and violated her constituents’ right to representation.
Naija News reports that 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.
“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 letter read.
Citing Section 63 of the Constitution, Akpoti-Uduaghan’s lawyers argued that her suspension had deprived her constituents of representation and undermined democratic principles.
Senator plans return July 15
Akpoti-Uduaghan also formally notified the Senate of her plan to resume legislative duties on Tuesday, July 15, 2025, urging Senate leadership to make necessary arrangements in line with the court’s decision.
“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,” the letter added.
“Please, also take notice that Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan intends to resume her legislative duties on Tuesday, the 15th day of July, 2025.”
Naija News reports that Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court, Abuja, in a recent judgment, faulted the Senate’s decision to suspend Akpoti-Uduaghan, describing it as lacking constitutional support.
She ordered the senator’s immediate reinstatement, stressing that legislative suspensions must not infringe on citizens’ rights to representation.
The development has sparked legal and political conversations over the limits of parliamentary discipline, with analysts saying the ruling could set a precedent for future cases of legislative overreach.
As of press time, the Senate leadership had yet to issue an official response.
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