Suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has formally notified the Senate of her intention to resume legislative duties on Tuesday, July 15, 2025, following a Federal High Court judgment declaring her suspension unconstitutional.
The court, presided over by Justice Binta Nyako, ruled that the six-month suspension imposed on Akpoti-Uduaghan was excessive and violated the constitutional rights of her constituents to be represented in the Senate.
In a letter dated July 11 and addressed to the Senate through her legal representatives, M.J Numa & Partners LLP, the senator called on the legislative body to comply fully with the court’s ruling. The letter was 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.”
Signed by lead counsel Michael Jonathan Numa, SAN, the letter emphasized that the Federal High Court made “a definitive pronouncement” in its judgment, declaring the suspension not only “excessive and overreaching” but also incompatible with Section 63 of the 1999 Constitution, which outlines the framework for legislative duties and representation.
“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,” the letter stated.
Akpoti-Uduaghan’s legal team stressed that any delay in enforcing the judgment would further undermine the rights of her constituents and erode the rule of law.
This development is expected to have wide-ranging implications, not only for the embattled senator but also for the Senate’s handling of internal disciplinary actions going forward.
