Suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti Faces Senate Resistance Over Resumption Bid

By Aremu Toyeebaht

Tensions have resurfaced between the Nigerian Senate and suspended Kogi Central Senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, as the upper legislative chamber maintains that there is no legal basis compelling her early return to plenary.

The Senate, in a statement released on Sunday, July 20, through its spokesperson Senator Yemi Adaramodu, affirmed that no valid court order currently mandates the immediate reinstatement of Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, who was suspended in March 2025.

The suspension followed a contentious altercation involving a seat arrangement dispute with Senate President Godswill Akpabio, which escalated after Akpoti-Uduaghan accused Akpabio of sexual misconduct—an allegation he has strongly denied.

Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan recently referenced a Federal High Court judgment delivered by Justice Binta Nyako in Abuja, claiming it supported her right to resume legislative duties. She subsequently announced plans to return to the Senate chamber on Tuesday, July 22.

However, the Senate has pushed back on her interpretation of the ruling. According to Senator Adaramodu, the judgment cited by the suspended lawmaker contains no enforceable directive or mandatory injunction ordering the Senate to lift her suspension ahead of time.

“The Senate cannot act on assumptions or misinterpretations. As it stands, the judgment does not include a positive order compelling the recall of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan,” Adaramodu stated.