Suspended Kogi lawmaker, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has formally petitioned the Senate to reinstate her immediately, following a Federal High Court judgment that declared her six-month suspension “excessive and overreaching.”
In a letter dated July 11, 2025, addressed to the Senate via her legal team, M.J. Numa & Partners LLP, Akpoti-Uduaghan demanded full compliance with the judgment delivered by Justice Binta Nyako on July 4.
The letter, signed by Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Michael Jonathan Numa, referenced suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/384/2025, citing constitutional breaches in the suspension.
“The Honourable Court made several findings and orders, including… 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 petition stated.
The legal team urged the Senate to act promptly by facilitating Akpoti-Uduaghan’s return to the chamber:
It added, “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.”
They also notified the Senate of her intention to resume legislative activities on Tuesday, July 15, 2025.
Though the court did not directly order the Senate to reverse the suspension, it urged the red chamber to consider reinstating her, stating that the suspension violated both the Constitution and the rights of her constituents to representation.
Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended on March 6, 2025, following a motion accusing her of “unparliamentary conduct.”
She subsequently sued the Senate President, the Clerk of the National Assembly, and the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions.
