Suspended Senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, failed to resume plenary on Tuesday despite a recent court ruling nullifying her six-month suspension from the Senate.
She also did not comply with a court directive to publish a public apology in two national newspapers and on her Facebook page, as ordered by Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court in Abuja.
Last Friday, the court ruled her suspension as unconstitutional and excessive, ordering her immediate reinstatement while imposing a ₦5 million fine for contempt over a satirical Facebook post seen as violating a previous gag order.
Despite telling supporters in a viral video that she would return to the Senate on Tuesday, Akpoti-Uduaghan was absent.
Her absence followed heightened security at the National Assembly complex, with tight checks on vehicles and personnel — a move that raised speculation about a Senate-led effort to prevent her return.
Reports suggested that a viral letter allegedly from Senate counsel Paul Daudu warned her not to resume until the enrolled court order was released.
However, Daudu distanced himself from the document, saying, “Please ignore the purported open letter written to J.S. Okutepa (SAN). It is unsigned and not issued by me. I do not know the source of that letter.”
He added that referencing his law firm in the letter was a misrepresentation and described Okutepa as his father and mentor in the legal profession.
The Senate, meanwhile, insisted it would await the Certified True Copy (CTC) of the court judgment before taking any official stance on her reinstatement.
Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension in March followed a heated plenary where she accused Senate President Godswill Akpabio of sexual harassment.
Her claims triggered uproar in the chamber and led to disciplinary action, which she later challenged in court, calling it a deliberate ploy to silence her and disenfranchise her constituents.
The court, while siding with her on the suspension, found her Facebook post dated April 27 — deemed a mock apology — to be in contempt.
The judge ordered that a real apology be issued within seven days in two national newspapers and on social media.
As of Tuesday evening, Akpoti-Uduaghan had not complied.
In response to the controversy, the Senate has introduced a bill seeking to amend its internal disciplinary rules.
The “Legislative Houses (Powers & Privileges) Act (Amendment) Bill, 2025 (SB. 708),” sponsored by Senator Shehu Kaka, aims to establish clearer timelines and guidelines for punitive actions against erring members.
Kaka said, “The amendments we are seeking aim to clarify and strengthen disciplinary provisions, especially with respect to the duration of sanctions imposed on erring members.”
The bill passed its first reading and is expected to go through second reading on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, Senate sources confirmed that the CTC of the court judgment would also be available on Wednesday, potentially setting the stage for a resolution to the standoff.
