Suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan may face a showdown at the National Assembly today as she plans to return to her seat, even though the Senate says her suspension is still in place.
Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central, was suspended in March for six months. But over the weekend, she said she plans to resume work on Tuesday, July 22, based on a recent court ruling.
“I know the suspension isn’t over yet, but I’ve written to the Senate to let them know I’m coming back,” she said at an event. “The court has made a decision, and even if it’s not called an order, it’s still a legal judgment.”
She said the suspension hasn’t stopped her from helping her constituents, but it has blocked her from doing her full job like presenting bills or motions in the Senate.
Her lawyer, Senior Advocate of Nigeria West Idahosa, agreed. “The court said the suspension was too long and against the law,” he explained. “She’s still a senator, and the ruling clearly says suspensions can’t last more than 180 days.”
He also said that while they are appealing parts of the court’s ruling, it’s clear enough for her to return now.
Still, the Senate disagrees. Its spokesperson, Yemi Adaramodu, said there is no official court order requiring the Senate to let her return.
“The court only gave advice. It didn’t tell us to end the suspension,” he said. “We will review the court’s suggestions at the right time, but for now, the suspension stays.”
Adaramodu also said the court had found Akpoti-Uduaghan guilty of contempt over a Facebook post that mocked Senate President Godswill Akpabio. She was fined ₦5 million and ordered to publish apologies, which the Senate claims she hasn’t done yet.
He warned that if she tries to return to the Senate today, it would be seen as disruptive and against Senate rules.
Justice Binta Nyako’s ruling last Friday did say the suspension was too harsh and unfair to her voters, but it did not force the Senate to bring her back.
As tensions rise, today’s events could test how far court decisions can go in influencing the internal workings of Nigeria’s legislature.
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