Natasha Petitions Senate for Return, Cites Court Ruling Against Six-Month Suspension

Suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has formally petitioned the Senate for her immediate reinstatement, citing a recent Federal High Court judgment that declared her six-month suspension “excessive” and lacking constitutional backing.

In a letter dated July 11, 2025, and submitted through her legal representatives, M.J. Numa & Partners LLP, the senator urged the Senate to comply fully with the court’s judgment. The letter, signed by Senior Advocate of Nigeria Michael Jonathan Numa, referenced Suit No: FHC/ABJ/CS/384/2025 and demanded swift implementation of the court’s orders.

“After a thorough consideration of the facts and applicable law,” the letter read, “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.”

The legal team emphasized that the suspension violated both the senator’s rights and the constitutional right of her constituents to representation. They called on the Senate to act without delay to facilitate her return to the chamber.

“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,” the letter stated.

Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan also formally notified the Senate of her intention to resume plenary activities on Tuesday, July 15, 2025.

This move follows the July 4 ruling by Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court in Abuja. Although the judge did not issue a direct order mandating the reversal of the suspension, she described the Senate’s action as lacking constitutional support and urged the lawmakers to reconsider the decision in light of the law and public interest.

Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended on March 6, 2025, after a motion sponsored by the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions. Her lawsuit named the Clerk of the National Assembly, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, and the Committee’s chairman as defendants, challenging the legality of the action taken against her.