Suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has formally informed the Nigerian Senate of her intention to resume legislative duties on Tuesday, July 15, citing a recent Federal High Court ruling that nullified her suspension.
In a letter addressed to the Senate and submitted through her legal representatives, M.J. Numa & Partners LLP, the senator demanded full compliance with the court’s decision, which declared her six-month suspension “excessive, overreaching, and inconsistent” with constitutional provisions.
The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja had previously ruled that the suspension violated Section 63 of the 1999 Constitution, and infringed on the rights of Akpoti-Uduaghan’s constituents to have parliamentary representation.
The letter, dated July 11, 2025, and titled:
“RE: SUIT NO: FHC/ABJ/CS/384/2025 Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan v. The Clerk of the National Assembly & Ors.: Forwarding of court order and demand for compliance”,
was signed by lead counsel Michael Jonathan Numa, SAN.
It stated in part: “After a thorough consideration of the facts and applicable law, the Honourable Court made several findings and orders, including, notably, a definitive pronouncement in Order 10 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.”
Akpoti-Uduaghan’s legal team urged the Senate to act without delay in restoring her seat, writing:
“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, in full compliance with the Court’s judgment.”
In the letter, the senator also made her return date clear:
“Please, also take notice that Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan intends to resume her legislative duties on Tuesday, the 15th day of July, 2025.”
This development follows a decision by Justice Binta Nyako, who ruled that the Senate’s action lacked constitutional authority and ordered the senator’s immediate reinstatement.
