The Nigerian Senate has announced it will delay action on the court-ordered reinstatement of Sen. Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan pending receipt of the Certified True Copy (CTC) of the Abuja Federal High Court ruling. The judgment, delivered by Justice Binta Nyako on Friday, voided Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension and ordered her immediate return to legislative duties.
However, Senate spokesperson Sen. Yemi Adaramodu stated that while the Senate’s legal team attended the court session, the full ruling was not read in open court. A formal request for the CTC has been submitted, and the Senate will await legal advice before proceeding to avoid prejudicing its position.
Sen. Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central, has declared her intention to resume duties on Tuesday, July 8. In a video message posted online, she thanked supporters and expressed gratitude for the court’s decision.
Justice Nyako ruled that the Senate’s suspension of Akpoti-Uduaghan lacked constitutional justification and denied her constituents proper representation. However, the court also fined her ₦5 million for contempt, citing a Facebook post she made despite a March 4, 2025, interim order prohibiting public commentary on the case.
The suspension originally stemmed from a chaotic March plenary session over seating disagreements, which escalated days later when Akpoti-Uduaghan publicly accused Senate President Godswill Akpabio of sexual harassment. The court’s judgment called the suspension flawed and a violation of democratic principles.
The Senate has urged Nigerians to remain calm and assured the public of its commitment to constitutional governance.
