Senate Writes Natasha Over Reinstatement, Says She Can’t Return Now

Tuesday July 15, 2025
By TheNewsDESK |

The Nigerian Senate has written to Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, declaring she cannot return to the chamber yet despite a court ruling that declared her suspension unlawful.

The Senate’s letter, sent on July 14, 2025, was a response to an earlier notice from the senator’s legal team informing the National Assembly of her intention to resume work on July 15.

Her lawyer, Michael Numa (SAN), had cited the July 4 Federal High Court judgment which described her six-month suspension as unconstitutional and excessive.

But the Senate insisted that the court ruling did not include any clear order directing the National Assembly, the Senate President, or the Senate itself to recall her.

The reply, signed by Charles Yoila, Director of Litigation and Counselling for the Clerk to the National Assembly, stated that the judgment only advised the Senate to use its discretion to reinstate her.

The chamber maintained that there is no legal ground for her to return yet.

Senate spokesperson Yemi Adaramodu also stated that the certified copy of the court order did not compel the Senate to act.

While Akpoti-Uduaghan’s legal team argued that the court’s judgment is binding under the constitution and demanded her immediate return, the Senate said she must wait for it to exercise its own powers before any resumption can take place.