By ConfirmNews
A dramatic face-off is expected to unfold at the Nigerian Senate today as suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan defies parliamentary resistance to return to plenary, armed with a recent court ruling declaring her suspension unconstitutional.
Senator Natasha, representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, was suspended by the Senate in March 2025. But on Saturday, she publicly declared her intention to resume legislative duties on Tuesday, July 22, citing a Federal High Court judgment as her legal backing.
“I have pretty much two months more before the six-month suspension expires. However, I have written to the Senate again telling them that I’m resuming on the 22nd, which is on Tuesday, by the special grace of God,” the senator stated during a constituency training event.
Defending her return, her counsel, Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) West Idahosa, argued that the court’s judgment is binding and empowers her to return to the chamber.
“Attendance is a legislative action… The suspension overreached the Constitution. When the court said she should go back, it essentially meant she should resume her duties,” Idahosa told PUNCH.
Despite this, the Nigerian Senate has doubled down on its stance, insisting that no enforceable legal directive has been issued to mandate her reinstatement.
In a letter dated July 14, signed by Charles Yoila, Director of Litigation and Counselling for the Clerk to the National Assembly, the Senate maintained that the judgment merely advised consideration of her recall, not a binding order.
“Accordingly, you may wish to advise your client to await the action of the Senate to exercise their power of recall as advised by the court and in terms with the judgement,” the letter read.
Senate spokesperson Yemi Adaramodu echoed this, asserting that the Certified True Copy of the judgment lacked any mandatory directive. “The judgment did not include any express or mandatory order directing the recall or reinstatement of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan,” he stated.
The legal team representing the senator insists that under Section 318 of the Nigerian Constitution, the judgment has legal force and should be implemented.
As Senator Natasha is set to arrive at the National Assembly today, all eyes are on what could become a constitutional showdown — a battle between legislative privilege and judicial authority.
Whether the Senate grants her access or blocks her re-entry remains uncertain. But what is clear is that this test of constitutional boundaries could have far-reaching implications for legislative conduct, separation of powers, and judicial compliance in Nigeria’s democracy.
