Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, the suspended lawmaker representing Kogi Central, broke her commitment to return legislative duty on Tuesday, following Friday’s decision that overturned her six-month suspension.
In accordance with the court ruling, the senator did not issue a public apology in two major newspapers or on her social media account. In a viral video, Akpoti-Uduaghan announced to her joyful followers that she would resume legislative operations in the Red Chamber on Tuesday.
The senator also thanked her constituents for their support following the favorable court ruling that reaffirmed her Senate seat.
Following her threat to attend Tuesday’s plenary, Senate leadership announced that no official action would be taken on the topic until the Certified True Copy of the court’s decision was reviewed.
While preparing for a probable clash, security at the National Assembly was ramped up, with gridlock extending to the Federal Secretariat intersection in Abuja.
Despite officials’ claims that the large retinue of operatives had nothing to do with the suspended senator, entering vehicles were carefully checked, and occupants were asked to explain their assignment.
When it became clear that she would not be up as promised, many speculated that the Senate had warned her to stay away.
Their suspicions were based on a viral letter apparently authored by the upper chamber’s legal counsel. The letter, dated July 5, 2025, argued that Friday’s Federal High Court decision did not result in a binding ruling canceling her suspension.
The correspondence supposedly directed Jubrin Okutepa to caution his client (Natasha) against returning to the Senate chamber before the court released the enrolled order.
The letter, apparently signed by Paul Daudu, warned of possible turmoil in the Senate chamber if Natasha sought to return without an official court order.
Daudu, lawyer for the Senate in Akpoti-Uduaghan’s lawsuit contesting her suspension, refuted the claim.
He denied writing the alleged letter to the Kogi senator’s lawyer, urging her not to resume legislative duties in the Senate.
The reply was posted on his Facebook page. He stated, “Dear members of the public, please disregard the alleged open letter written to J.S. Okutepa (SAN) circulating on social media. “It is unsigned and was not issued by me. I’m not sure who wrote that letter.
Daudu described the use of his law company in the unsigned paper as a misrepresentation, referring to Okutepa as his father and legal guru.
Last Friday, a Federal High Court in Abuja overturned Akpoti-Uduaghan’s six-month ban ordered by the Senate.
The court ruled that her six-month ban was harsh, unlawful, and violated her constituents’ rights, and ordered her reinstatement
It also punished her N5 million for contempt of court over a Facebook post that allegedly breached an earlier court order.
According to The PUNCH, the Kogi senator was suspended for six months by the Senate in March following a tumultuous session where she accused Akpabio of sexual harassment.
Her suspension prompted uproar among numerous civil society and human rights organizations.
She then sued the Senate and its leadership, claiming that the move was a deliberate attempt to silence her and disenfranchise her voters.
In response to a humorous Facebook post dated April 27 in which she gave what the court described as a “mock apology” to Akpabio, lawyers for the Senate President filed a contempt suit against her.
The lawyers said the post violated the court’s gag order. During the proceedings, Akpoti-Uduaghan’s legal team insisted that the post was irrelevant to the suspension issue, citing her charges of wrongdoing against the Senate President.
However, Justice Binta Nyako disagreed, claiming that the post was related to the case before the court and thus constituted an intentional violation of the court’s instruction.
The judge levied a N5 million fine on the senator and ordered her to submit a public apology within seven days. She determined that the apology should be published in two national daily and shared on her Facebook page.
However, as of Tuesday evening, Akpoti-Uduaghan has yet to post the apology in two national publications and on her Facebook page.
Meanwhile, the Senate has begun to revise its internal rules to inflict harsher disciplinary consequences on disobedient members.
The move followed the first reading of a measure proposed by Shehu Kaka, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Special Duties.
The measure is known as the “Legislative Houses (Powers & Privileges) Act (Amendment) Bill, 2025 (SB. 708).” The legislative effort comes four days after Justice Nyako’s decision.
However, the Legislative Houses (Powers & Privileges) Act does not specify the term of suspensions.
Further research indicated that the proposed amendment aims to close this legislative vacuum and ensure that disciplinary actions are driven by well-defined regulations, such as timetables and sanctions.
When questioned, Kaka responded that the draft aimed to improve existing legislation by giving “required specifics” about disciplinary procedures.
“The amendments we are seeking aim to clarify and strengthen disciplinary provisions, especially with respect to the duration of sanctions imposed on erring members,” he told us.
Given the urgency, the bill is expected to be scheduled for a second reading in plenary on Wednesday.
In the same line, sources within the Senate leadership confirmed that the CTC of the Federal High Court’s decision will be revealed on Wednesday.
The CTC is expected to defuse the rising tension and allow the Senate to decide on its next action.