Over one week after the Federal High Court, Abuja had asked for the review of Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension by the Senate, the upper chamber has asked the Kogi Central senator to still await the Certified True Copy (CTC) of the court judgement to resume from a six-month suspension.
The embattled Senator Natasha had intended to resume to the Senate Tuesday after four out of six months suspension slammed on her by the red chamber in March this year but was told to await the CTC
Senator Natasha had on Friday last week on the strength of judgment given by Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court, Abuja, urged the Senate to review her suspension by recalling her in view of “excessiveness of the six months.”
Natasha’s legal team in a strongly worded letter dated 11th July, 2025, declared that the senator would resume her legislative duties on Tuesday, July 15, in line with the directive of the presiding judge, Justice B.F.M. Nyako.
However, the Senate in a statement signed by its spokesperson, Senator Yemi Adaramodu, Sunday, said there is no legal basis for her resumption.
The statement reads: “The attention of the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria has been drawn to a letter dated 11th July, 2025, authored by the law firm of Numa S.A.N. & Co on behalf of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, addressed to the leadership of the National Assembly.
“The said letter hinges its request on Section 318 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and purports that the judgment of Hon. Justice Binta Nyako delivered on 4th July, 2025 constitutes a binding order directing the immediate recall of the suspended Senator to the Senate chamber on Tuesday, 15th July, 2025.
“The Senate wishes to state categorically and for the avoidance of doubt that the Certified True Copy of the Enrolled Order did not contain any express or mandatory order directing the recall or reinstatement of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan before the expiration of her suspension.
“The learned judge, Hon. Justice Binta Nyako, merely made advisory observations on the length of the suspension, which are not enforceable or binding in law.”