The suspended senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has spent six months out of the Senate chamber and ready for resumption. But she was barred from resuming duties despite notifying the National Assembly of the end of her suspension. This has prompted widespread condemnation
The legal team representing Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has responded to the Clerk of the National Assembly, demanding the immediate reinstatement of their client following the expiration of her six-month suspension from the Senate.
In a letter dated September 10, 2025, addressed to the Clerk, lead counsel Michael Numa described the continued denial of Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s right to resume her legislative duties as a “grave constitutional breach” and a “politically motivated subversion of the sovereign will of the people.”
The lawyers accused the Clerk of acting ultra vires, claiming that his refusal to facilitate the senator’s resumption amounts to contempt of court and willful defiance of binding judicial orders.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central Senatorial District, was suspended by the Senate on March 6, 2025, following a controversial disciplinary process initiated by the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Code of Conduct.
However, in a judgment delivered on July 4, 2025, Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court declared the suspension unlawful, excessive, and unconstitutional, ordering the Senate to allow the senator to resume her duties.
“Despite the court ruling, the National Assembly, through the Clerk’s office, has refused to reinstate her,” he said.
In a letter dated September 4, 2025, the Clerk cited the principle of sub judice—arguing that her case remains pending and therefore no administrative action could be taken.
In their response, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s counsel dismissed the Clerk’s reliance on the sub judice rule as “misguided” and a misapplication of legal doctrine intended to delay justice and suppress a duly elected lawmaker’s mandate.
“The doctrine is, at best, a self-imposed restraint on parliamentary debate concerning matters before the courts,” the letter stated. “It has never been — and cannot be — a lawful basis to deny administrative compliance with judicial orders or frustrate the exercise of constitutional rights.”
The lawyers further argued that the six-month suspension expired on September 6, 2025, and that no legal or Senate resolution had extended the disciplinary action.
Therefore, they claim that the Senate and the Clerk’s office have no lawful grounds to prevent her resumption.
The legal team also accused the National Assembly leadership of a pattern of judicial defiance, citing three major incidents: “March 4, 2025 – A Federal High Court order restrained the Senate from disciplining Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, but the Senate proceeded with the suspension two days later.
“July 4, 2025 – The court declared the suspension illegal and ordered reinstatement, but the Clerk’s office failed to act.
“September 4, 2025 – The Clerk issued a letter justifying continued suspension without any Senate resolution or judicial backing.
The letter added: “By assuming powers you do not possess, you have acted ultra vires and placed both yourself personally and your office in contempt of the Constitution and binding judicial orders.”
Numa further issued an ultimatum, demanding that the Clerk facilitate Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s resumption on or before Monday, September 15, 2025, warning that failure to comply would result in legal proceedings against the Clerk in both his official and personal capacity.
Culled: Leadership,ng