Akpabio’s aide says Natasha’s appeal confirms there is no court order mandating recall.
Akpabio’s aide says Natasha’s appeal confirms there is no court order mandating recall.
Sir Kenny Okolugbo, media strategist to Senate President Godswill Akpabio, has criticized Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s return to the National Assembly, calling it a deliberate political move lacking any legal backing.
In an interview, Okolugbo maintained that the Federal High Court issued no order directing her reinstatement. He further stated that neither the Senate President nor the Clerk of the National Assembly had received any official court directive mandating her return, contrary to the senator’s claims.
There was no express order setting aside her suspension,” he said. “The judgment delivered by Justice Binta Nyako did not direct the Senate to recall her. Even her own legal documents, particularly Ground 23 of her appeal, show that she was aware no such relief was granted.”
Quoting directly from her appeal in Akpoti-Uduaghan vs Clerk of the National Assembly & Ors, Okolugbo cited: “The learned trial judge erred in law and abdicated her judicial duty… failing to expressly make a clear pronouncement SET ASIDE and/or NULLIFY same accordingly.”
According to him, this confirms that the trial court upheld aspects of the Senate’s disciplinary powers and did not void the suspension.
“Despite this, she appeared at the National Assembly gates with supporters, cameras and noise, pretending she had a judicial mandate. That was false and misleading,” he said.
Okolugbo said if there had been a valid recall order, it would have gone through proper legislative procedure — transmitted to the Clerk, brought to the floor, deliberated upon, and if approved, enforced by the Sergeant-at-Arms.
“Instead, she bypassed the process for optics.
The Senate is not a reality TV set,” he said.
Dismissing claims that Akpabio acted politically, Okolugbo said the suspension followed constitutional provisions and Senate rules.
“Section 60 of the Constitution and Rule 14(2) of the Senate Standing Orders empower the chamber to regulate its conduct. Senator Natasha was found in breach of Orders 6.1 and 6.2. Her suspension was not personal — it followed due process,” he said.
He also described the senator’s string of allegations — including sexual harassment, assassination plots, organ trafficking, and financial misconduct — as “reckless, unfounded and inconsistent.”
“She first praised the Senate President after the alleged harassment incident, then suddenly turned around when she lost her committee seat.
Her organ harvesting accusation involved a woman who died in 2022, years after Akpabio’s wife’s illness in 2016. It defies logic,” he said.
On her claim that Akpabio has pending EFCC cases, he responded, “That’s false. There’s no such case. She throws outrageous accusations, hoping they’ll trend. It’s irresponsible and damages public trust.”
Addressing concerns about her constituency, he said legislative work continued during her suspension.
“She initially praised the Senate President after the alleged harassment incident, but suddenly changed her stance after losing her committee position. Her organ harvesting allegation involved a woman who died in 2022—years after Akpabio’s wife fell ill in 2016. It simply doesn’t add up,” he said.
Responding to her claim that Akpabio has pending EFCC cases, he said, “That’s completely untrue. There are no such cases. She makes wild accusations just to grab attention. It’s reckless and undermines public confidence.”
Regarding her constituency, he added that legislative duties continued uninterrupted during her suspension.
