The Nigerian Senate has said it will not take immediate action on the reinstatement of suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan until it receives and thoroughly reviews the Certified True Copy (CTC) of the recent Federal High Court judgment that nullified her suspension.
Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central Senatorial District, was suspended in March 2025 following a contentious plenary session. However, in a ruling delivered on July 4, 2025, Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court held that the suspension lacked constitutional foundation and ordered her immediate return to legislative duties.
Despite the court ruling, the Senate maintains that procedural steps must be followed before her reinstatement can be effected.
In a statement issued on Sunday, Senator Yemi Adaramodu, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, confirmed that while the Senate’s legal team was present in court during the ruling, the entire judgment was not read in open court. As a result, he said, a formal request had been made to obtain the CTC for legal analysis and interpretation.
“Pending receipt and examination of the Certified True Copy, and acting on the advice of counsel, the Senate shall refrain from taking any steps that may prejudice its legal position,” Adaramodu stated.
He further noted that since no party has been served the enrolled order of the judgment, no lawful enforcement of the court’s decision can proceed at this time.
The Senate reassured the public of its commitment to the rule of law and constitutional order, urging citizens to remain patient as legal processes unfold.
Meanwhile, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan has publicly declared her intention to resume her legislative duties on Tuesday, July 8, 2025.
In a video message shared on social media, which gained widespread attention on Sunday, the lawmaker expressed gratitude to her supporters and described the court’s ruling as a victory for justice.
“I thank you for your support. I am glad we are victorious today. We shall resume in the Senate on Tuesday by the grace of God,” she said.
While Justice Nyako ruled in her favour regarding the suspension, the court also found her in contempt for a satirical Facebook post addressed to Senate President Godswill Akpabio, which was deemed a violation of an interim injunction issued on March 4, 2025. That injunction had barred all parties from making public or social media comments about the suspension case.
As a result, the court imposed a ₦5 million fine on the senator for contempt.
The senator’s suspension earlier this year had followed a dramatic and disorderly Senate session marked by disputes over seating arrangements. The controversy escalated days later when Akpoti-Uduaghan accused Senate President Akpabio of sexual harassment in a live television interview.
Justice Nyako, in her ruling, criticised the Senate’s handling of the suspension, noting that the action was not only procedurally flawed but also deprived the people of Kogi Central of their constitutional right to representation in the legislature.
The post Senate withholds action on suspended Kogi Senator Natasha pending court judgment review appeared first on Latest Nigeria News | Top Stories from Ripples Nigeria.
