Lawyer Says Court Did not Order Natasha’s Recall

Legal practitioner Ekemini Udim has faulted Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s recent attempt to return to the Senate chambers, insisting the court did not issue any directive for her recall.

Speaking on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief on Wednesday, Udim clarified that the Federal High Court ruling has been misinterpreted by those claiming the judge ordered her reinstatement.

“It is very clear: my Lord has not said, ‘Recall Senator Natasha’. What the judge said was that, ‘You cannot do like this, you cannot do like that,’ and then makes a recommendation to the Senate, and says, ‘Senate, think of how you can amend your rules.’

“You cannot equate that to say, ‘Recall Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’,” Udim said.

The Kogi Central senator, who was suspended in March for six months, attempted to resume her seat on Tuesday but was denied entry into the National Assembly. She had arrived at the complex with a group of supporters, citing a court judgment she claimed mandated the Senate to recall her.

After being denied access despite repeated attempts, Akpoti-Uduaghan addressed journalists, expressing her dissatisfaction and vowing to consult her legal team.

Udim, however, said interpreting the judgment through emotions instead of legal facts could hurt her case.

“A lot of people are taking this matter from the emotional angle, and it becomes a problem when you do that.

“And this is not good for Senator Natasha. This must be taken from the angle of law,” he cautioned.

Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan had earlier accused Senate President Godswill Akpabio of sexual harassment—allegations that preceded her suspension by the Senate. She later took the matter to court, urging the judiciary to declare her suspension illegal.

While the court ruling was seen by many as a victory for her, the Senate has maintained a different stance. It insists that the judgment merely offered recommendations and did not mandate a recall.

Senate President Akpabio has appealed the ruling, while the Senate has asked Akpoti-Uduaghan to stay away from the complex pending the outcome.

Following Tuesday’s events, Senate spokesman Yemi Adaramodu backed the decision to deny her entry. Speaking on Politics Today, also on Channels Television, Adaramodu said the lawmaker remains suspended and cannot return to plenary.