*Senator Yemi Adaramodu, Chairman of Nigeria’s Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, warns that any attempt by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan to resume her seat under the guise of ‘a misinterpreted judgment’ will be considered an affront to the Senate鈥檚 authority and due process

Isola Moses | 绿帽献妻

The Nigerian Senate has urged suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (Kogi Central Senatorial District) to respect due process and refrain from attempting to return the National Assembly (NASS), in Abuja, FCT, before the end of her six-month suspension.

Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan reportedly planned to resume legislative duties Tuesday, July 22, 2025, citing a recent Federal High Court’s judgment delivered by Justice Binta Nyako.

绿帽献妻 had reported the Senate, in April 2025, had suspended Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan for disrespectful conduct in the Chamber.

Senator Yemi Adaramodu, in Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, noted this in a statement Sunday, July 20, 2025.

Adaramodu, however, stated that no court order currently compels the Red Chamber of NASS to reinstate the suspended, embattled lawmaker.

The Committee Chairman also clarified: 鈥淭he Senate wishes to reaffirm, for the third time, that there is no subsisting court order mandating the Senate to recall Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan before the expiration of her suspension.”

He further explained that contrary to Natasha’s claims about the court judgement, the ruling only issued “a non-binding advisory opinion”, suggesting that the Senate consider amending its Standing Orders and reviewing the suspension, which the court opined might be excessive.

Adaramodu stressed that the court noted the Nigeria. Senate had not violated any law or constitutional provision in applying the disciplinary action against the Kogi Central lawmaker.

The statement as well clarified “rather than issuing any mandatory order for her recall, the Honourable Court gave an advisory.”

The Chairman noted: “It also found Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan guilty of contempt of court and imposed a N5 million fine, along with a directive to issue a public apology in two national dailies and on her Facebook page. These directives remain unfulfilled.”

The Senate, therefore, warned that any attempt by Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan to resume her seat under the guise of “a misinterpreted judgment” would be considered an affront to the Senate鈥檚 authority and due process.

The statement noted: 鈥淭he Senate emphasises once more: there is no enforceable order directing her immediate return to the chamber.”

Besides, the Senate will consider the court鈥檚 recent advisory at the appropriate time, and communicate its decision accordingly.

Until then, the Uppers Legislative Chamber urged the suspended Senator to 鈥渟tay away from the Senate chambers and allow due process to run its full course.鈥�

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