Senator Natasha writes Senate seeking resumption

Senator Natasha writes Senate seeking resumption

Suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has petitioned the Senate, seeking immediate reinstatement in line with a recent Federal High Court judgment that declared her six-month suspension “excessive”.

Natasha made her intention known in a letter dated July 11, 2025, and addressed to the Senate through her legal representatives, M.J. Numa & Partners LLP

She demanded compliance with the court’s ruling which found that her suspension violated both constitutional provisions and the rights of her constituents to representation.

Titled “RE: SUIT NO: FHC/ABJ/CS/384/2025 Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan v. The Clerk of the National Assembly & Ors.: Forwarding of Court Order and Demand for Compliance”, the letter was signed by Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Michael Jonathan Numa.

“After a thorough consideration of the facts and applicable law,” the letter read in part, “the Honourable Court made several findings and orders, including, notably, a definitive pronouncement in Order 10 that the six-month suspension imposed on the Plaintiff was excessive, overreaching, and inconsistent with her ability to comply with the provisions of Section 63 of the 1999 Constitution.”

The letter further urged the leadership of the Senate to comply promptly with the judgment. “We respectfully demand that you give immediate effect to the clear and binding Order of the Federal High Court by taking all necessary steps to facilitate Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s resumption of her legislative duties forthwith, in full compliance with the Court’s judgment.”

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Akpoti-Uduaghan also notified the Senate of her intention to return to the chamber by Tuesday, July 15, 2025.

“Please, also take notice that Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan intends to resume her legislative duties on Tuesday, the 15th day of July, 2025,” the letter added.

This development follows the July 4 judgment delivered by Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court in Abuja.

The Certified True Copy (CTC) of the ruling, which has now been obtained, addressed widespread confusion surrounding the court’s position.

While Justice Nyako did not explicitly order the Senate to reverse the suspension, the court advised the legislative body to consider recalling the senator. The judge maintained that the suspension lacked sufficient constitutional basis and undermined the rights of Akpoti-Uduaghan’s constituents.

The suit was filed by the senator against the Clerk of the National Assembly, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, and the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions, challenging the legality of her March 6, 2025 suspension.

Senator Natasha writes Senate seeking resumption