Natasha delays return to Senate as National Assembly awaits apology.

Natasha delays return to Senate as National Assembly awaits apology.

The suspended lawmaker representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, failed to resume her legislative duties on Tuesday as promised, despite last Friday’s court ruling that overturned her six-month suspension.

She also did not comply with the court order to issue a public apology in two major newspapers and on her social media platforms.

In a video that circulated widely on social media, Akpoti-Uduaghan had assured her supporters that she would return to the Senate on Tuesday.

She had also thanked her constituents for their support following the favourable court decision that reinstated her position in the Senate.

Following her threat to attend Tuesday’s plenary, the Senate leadership stated that it would not take any official action on the matter until the review of the Certified True Copy of the court’s pronouncement.

While bracing for a possible showdown, security at the National Assembly was beefed up with traffic extending to the intersection at the Federal Secretariat in Abuja.

Although authorities insisted that the heavy retinue of operatives had nothing to do with the suspended senator, incoming vehicles were thoroughly searched with the passengers asked to explain their mission.

When it was obvious she would not turn up as promised, many speculated that the lawmaker must have been warned by the Senate to stay away.

They hinged their suspicion on a viral letter purportedly written by the legal counsel of the upper chamber.

The letter, dated July 5, 2025, claimed that Friday’s judgment by the Federal High Court did not translate to a binding order invalidating her suspension.

The correspondence purportedly advised Jubrin Okutepa to caution his client (Natasha) from returning to the Senate chamber pending the release of the enrolled order from the court.

The letter allegedly bearing Paul Daudu’s name and signature warned of potential unrest in the Senate chamber if Natasha attempted to return to the Senate without an official court order.

Daudu, the counsel for the Senate in the suit filed by Akpoti-Uduaghan, challenging her suspension debunked the claim.

He denied writing the rumoured letter to the counsel for the Kogi senator, warning her not to resume legislative duties in the Senate.

The rebuttal was made in a post on his Facebook handle.

He wrote, “Dear members of the public, please ignore the purported open letter written to J.S. Okutepa (SAN) making the rounds on social media.

“It is unsigned and not issued by me. I do not know the source of that letter.”

While describing the use of his law firm in the unsigned document as a misrepresentation, Daudu referred to Okutepa as his father and mentor in the legal profession.

Last Friday, a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja had nullified the six-month suspension imposed on Akpoti-Uduaghan by the Senate.

The court declared that the six-month suspension imposed on her was excessive, unconstitutional, and an infringement on the rights of her constituents and ordered that she be recalled from suspension.

It also fined her the sum of N5m for contempt of court over a Facebook post deemed to have violated an earlier court order.

The press gathered that the Kogi senator was suspended for six months by the Senate in March after a rowdy plenary during which she accused Akpabio of sexual harassment.

Her suspension sparked outrage among various civil society groups and human rights organisations.

She subsequently sued the Senate and its leadership, arguing that the action was a calculated attempt to silence her and disenfranchise her constituents.

In response to a satirical Facebook post dated April 27 – in which she offered what the court described as a “mock apology” to Akpabio, lawyers representing the Senate President filed a contempt application against her.

The lawyers claimed that the post was in defiance of the court’s gag order.

During proceedings, Akpoti-Uduaghan’s legal team contended that the post was unrelated to the suspension case, insisting it concerned her allegations of misconduct against the Senate President.

Justice Binta Nyako, however, disagreed, stating that the post was linked to the matter before the court and, therefore, constituted a deliberate breach of the court’s directive.

The judge, having imposed a N5m fine on the senator, ordered her to issue a public apology within seven days.

The apology, she ruled, must be published in two national dailies and reposted on her Facebook page.

But as of Tuesday evening, Akpoti-Uduaghan had yet to publish the apology in two national dailies and on her Facebook page.

Meanwhile, the Senate has initiated steps to amend its internal rules to impose stiffer disciplinary measures on erring members.

The move follows the first reading of a bill sponsored by the Chairman, Senate Committee on Special Duties, Shehu Kaka.

The bill is titled “Legislative Houses (Powers & Privileges) Act (Amendment) Bill, 2025 (SB. 708).”

The legislative effort comes four days after Justice Nyako’s judgment.

However, the Legislative Houses (Powers & Privileges) Act does not provide clear guidelines on the duration of suspensions.

Further investigations revealed that a proposed amendment aims to address this legislative gap by establishing defined rules and timelines for disciplinary actions.

When contacted, Kaka explained that the bill is designed to refine existing laws by adding “necessary specifics” to the disciplinary process.

“The amendments we are proposing seek to clarify and strengthen the provisions on disciplinary measures, particularly regarding the duration of sanctions on members,” he said.

Due to its urgency, the bill is expected to be scheduled for a second reading during Wednesday’s plenary.

Meanwhile, sources within the Senate leadership revealed that the Certified True Copy (CTC) of the Federal High Court judgment will be released on Wednesday. The CTC is expected to ease tensions and help guide the Senate’s next steps.