There is growing concern that the Senate may be heading into a tense confrontation with suspended lawmaker Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who has vowed to return to the chamber today.
Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central Senatorial District, made the announcement in a video that has been widely shared on social media. Speaking to cheering supporters, she said she would resume her duties at the Senate on Tuesday, following a recent court victory that declared her suspension illegal.
“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 in the video.
Despite her declaration, the Senate leadership has said it will not act on the matter until it receives and reviews the Certified True Copy (CTC) of the court ruling. According to them, legal clarity is needed before any official decision can be made.
Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended in March for six months after a chaotic session in which she accused Senate President Godswill Akpabio of sexual harassment.
The move was met with strong criticism from civil society organisations and human rights groups, who called it undemocratic and an attempt to suppress dissent.
On Friday, a Federal High Court in Abuja ruled that the suspension was unconstitutional, excessive, and a violation of the rights of the people of Kogi Central. The court also ordered her immediate reinstatement to the Senate.
However, the same ruling imposed a N5 million fine on the senator for contempt of court, following a Facebook post in April.
In the post, Akpoti-Uduaghan shared what the court described as a “mock apology” aimed at Senate President Akpabio. Justice Binta Nyako, who presided over the case, said the post violated a court order issued on March 4, which barred all parties from making public comments or social media posts related to the case.
The judge ordered her to publicly apologise within seven days. The apology, Justice Nyako said, must appear in two national newspapers and also be reposted on her Facebook page. As of Monday evening, Akpoti-Uduaghan had yet to fulfil this requirement.
In response to the court ruling, Senate spokesperson Yemi Adaramodu said in a statement that their legal team was present during the court session, but the full judgment wasn’t delivered in open court.
“Pending receipt and examination of the CTC, and acting on the advice of counsel, the Senate shall refrain from taking any steps that may prejudice its legal position,” the statement read.
He also noted that a formal request for the CTC had been submitted so the Senate can better understand the court’s decisions and any specific instructions.
Akpoti-Uduaghan has maintained that her suspension was politically motivated and intended to silence her and marginalise her constituents. Her legal team argued in court that her Facebook post had nothing to do with the suspension case but was instead a response to Akpabio’s actions.
Justice Nyako disagreed, saying the post was directly linked to the ongoing case and was a deliberate attempt to disobey the court’s order.
