Natasha Set To Return To Senate After Court Win

Suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has officially notified the Nigerian Senate that she intends to resume her duties on July 15, 2025, after a court ruling declared her suspension unlawful.

The lawmaker, through her legal team, submitted a formal letter asking the Senate to comply with the judgment and allow her return to the chamber.

The senator’s legal action followed a decision by the Federal High Court in Abuja, which found her six-month suspension by the Senate to be without legal basis. The court ruled that the suspension denied her constituents their right to representation, which is protected by the Nigerian Constitution. The judge declared that the action went beyond the powers of the legislative arm and should be reversed immediately.

Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central, had been removed from Senate duties earlier this year, sparking debates about legislative authority and accountability. Her legal team argued that the suspension violated her constitutional rights and cited Section 63, which outlines the rules for when a lawmaker’s seat can be declared vacant. The court agreed with this position and ordered her reinstatement.

The senator’s lawyers addressed the Senate leadership in a letter dated July 11. They urged the legislative body to respect the ruling and take all necessary steps to restore her seat. The letter also confirmed that Akpoti-Uduaghan plans to resume full legislative functions on July 15, and asked that the Senate act quickly to ensure there are no further disruptions.

This legal victory has put pressure on the Senate to act. With the court decision clearly in her favor, the chamber is expected to process her return unless it chooses to appeal, which could extend the standoff. So far, the Senate has not issued a public statement on how it plans to respond to the judgment or the senator’s notification letter.

The ruling may also shape how similar matters are handled in the future. It raises fresh questions about whether legislative suspensions can go as far as cutting off an entire constituency from representation, especially when no criminal offence or formal conviction is involved.

As it stands, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan is preparing to rejoin the Senate, bringing an end to a months-long legal battle that challenged not only her suspension but the balance between parliamentary discipline and the right to fair representation. Her return could also renew public debate on how lawmakers are sanctioned and what limits exist to legislative power in a democracy.