Dramatic twist in senate as Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central, did not return to the Senate chamber as she had promised, despite the Federal High Court nullifying her six-month suspension. The court’s verdict, delivered last Friday, declared her suspension unconstitutional and ordered her immediate recall. However, Akpoti-Uduaghan has yet to act on this ruling.

Initially buoyed by the court’s decision, the senator had confidently announced on social media her intention to resume legislative duties on Tuesday, thanking her supporters for their unwavering loyalty. Yet, she did not follow through, failing to show up at the plenary session, and notably, did not publish the required public apology in two national newspapers or on her social media platform, as mandated by the court.

The Senate leadership responded cautiously, stating they would wait for the official Certified True Copy (CTC) of the court’s ruling before taking any formal action. Meanwhile, security around the National Assembly was noticeably tight, with heavy police presence and thorough vehicle searches, though authorities insisted this had nothing to do with the suspended senator.

Speculations arose that Akpoti-Uduaghan may have been warned by the Senate to stay away. This suspicion was fueled by a viral letter purportedly from the Senate’s legal counsel, dated July 5, 2025. The letter suggested that the Federal High Court’s judgment did not constitute a binding order to lift her suspension and advised her counsel to caution her against returning to the chamber until an official court order was issued.

However, her legal team is quick to dismiss this claim. Paul Daudu, the Senate’s counsel in the case and a respected figure in the legal community, has publicly denied writing any such letter. Posting on Facebook, he clarified that the document was entirely unauthentic, unsigned, and not from him, emphasizing that the letter’s use was a misrepresentation.

The court’s ruling was clear: the six-month suspension imposed on Akpoti-Uduagan was disproportionate, unconstitutional, and infringed on her constitutional rights and those of her constituents. It also ordered her immediate reinstatement and imposed a N5 million fine for contempt of court following her Facebook post, which the court deemed a violation of its gag order.

This controversy stems from her suspension in March, which followed a fiery debate in the Senate during which she accused Senate Minority Leader Godswill Akpabio of sexual harassment. Her suspension sparked widespread outrage among civil society and human rights groups, who saw it as an attempt to silence her voice.

Akpoti-Uduaghan responded to the legal developments by filing a suit challenging her suspension, asserting it was politically motivated. Meanwhile, the Senate has begun efforts to tighten its disciplinary procedures to prevent similar incidents in the future. A bill titled “Legislative Houses (Powers & Privileges) Act (Amendment) Bill, 2025” has been introduced by the Senate to specify the duration and nature of disciplinary sanctions.

According to Senate sources, the bill aims to fill the existing legal gap on suspension durations and disciplinary processes, which are currently somewhat ambiguous. Senate Committee on Special Duties Chairman Shehu Kaka explained that the amendments aim to clarify and reinforce disciplinary rules, including clear timelines.

The second reading of this bill is expected to take place today, amidst anticipation that the release of the court’s CTC might help ease tensions and guide the Senate’s next course of action.

As the legal and political battles unfold, the story of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan underscores the ongoing struggle over legislative independence, constitutional rights, and the power dynamics within Nigeria’s Senate.