Natasha petitions Senate for reinstatement, announces July 15 resumption date

Suspended Kogi Senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has formally petitioned the Senate for her immediate reinstatement, citing a recent Federal High Court judgment that ruled her six-month suspension as “excessive and overreaching.”

In a letter dated July 11, 2025, and submitted through her legal representatives, M.J. Numa & Partners LLP, the senator demanded full compliance with the court’s judgment delivered by Justice Binta Nyako on July 4.

The letter, signed by Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Michael Jonathan Numa, referenced Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/384/2025 and accused the Senate of violating constitutional provisions by suspending Akpoti-Uduaghan.

“The Honourable Court made several findings and orders, including… 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 stated.

Her legal team urged the Senate to act immediately to restore her legislative functions.

“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,” it added.

The letter also notified the Senate of Akpoti-Uduaghan’s intention to resume work on Tuesday, July 15, 2025.

Although the court did not explicitly order the Senate to lift the suspension, Justice Nyako encouraged the chamber to reconsider, emphasizing that the action infringed on both the Constitution and the rights of the senator’s constituents to representation.

Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended on March 6, 2025, over allegations of “unparliamentary conduct” following a motion raised on the Senate floor. She subsequently filed a lawsuit against Senate President Godswill Akpabio, the Clerk of the National Assembly, and the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions, challenging the legality of her suspension.