NASS insists Akpoti-Uduaghan can't resume despite exhausting suspension period

The National Assembly has insisted that Kogi Central Senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, cannot resume legislative activities despite the expiration of her six-month suspension from the Senate, Nigeria’s highest legislative body.

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In a letter dated 4 September and addressed to Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan, the Assembly explained that her suspension remains, subject to judicial proceedings and that she cannot return until the process is concluded or the Senate reviews the matter.

The letter was signed by the Acting Clerk to the National Assembly, Yahaya Danzaria.

Mr Danzaria confirmed to PREMIUM TIMES that he signed the letter on behalf of the National Assembly.

“I am directed to acknowledge the receipt of your letter notifying this office of your intention to resume sitting and other legislative duties in the Senate on the 4th of September, 2025, which you claim is the date of expiration of the 6 months suspension imposed on you by the Senate.

“I am further directed to inform you that your suspension was with effect from Thursday 6th March, 2025 and draw your attention to the fact that the subject matter of your suspension is presently before the Court of Appeal. The matter therefore remains subjudice, and until the judicial process is concluded and the Senate formally reviews the suspension in the light of the Court’s pronouncement, no administrative action can be taken by this office to facilitate your resumption. You will be duly notified of the Senate’s decision on the matter as soon as it is resolved,” the letter reads.

Context and grounds for suspension

On 6 March, the Senate suspended Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan for six months based on the recommendations of its Committee on Ethics, Privileges, Code of Conduct and Public Petitions.

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The committee accused her of defying the Senate’s sitting arrangement and engaging in alleged misconduct during a plenary session on 20 February.

Apart from suspending Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan for six months, the upper chamber also withdrew her security aides, locked her Senate office, suspended her salary and allowances, and banned her from entering the National Assembly premises.

Although the Senate left room for an early recall if she tendered a written apology, Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan instead approached the court to challenge the decision.

Court intervention

In July, Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court ruled in her favour, holding that suspending an elected lawmaker for six months amounts to denying her constituents their right to representation.

However, the court did not order her immediate reinstatement. Instead, Mrs Nyako issued an advisory opinion urging the Senate to reconsider the suspension.

In a separate ruling, the court found Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan guilty of civil contempt over a satirical social media post deemed disrespectful to the court. She was fined N5 million and ordered to publish a public apology in two national newspapers and on her Facebook page within seven days.

Appeal

Dissatisfied with the ruling, the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio filed a cross-appeal at the Court of Appeal on 11 July.

READ ALSO: Akpabio returns to Nigeria amidst speculation about ill-health

Through his counsel, Kehinde Ogunwumiju, SAN, Mr Akpabio argued that the Federal High Court erred in law and exceeded its powers by intervening in the Senate’s internal disciplinary process.

The appeal, which raised eleven grounds, contended that the court lacked jurisdiction as the Senate Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct, and Public Petitions had not completed its investigation before the case was filed.

Mr Akpabio further argued that Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan failed to exhaust internal dispute resolution mechanisms provided under the Senate Standing Orders before seeking judicial intervention, rendering her suit premature.