Natasha To Take Legal Battle Against Senate To Higher Court

Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has vowed to challenge the National Assembly’s refusal to allow her entry into the Senate chamber, despite a court ruling that overturned her suspension.

The senator, who represents Kogi Central, was suspended from the Senate for six months earlier in the year. But a recent judgement by Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court quashed the suspension, effectively clearing the path for her return to her legislative seat. On Tuesday, however, she was barred from entering the National Assembly complex by security personnel.

Following the incident, Akpoti-Uduaghan said she plans to meet with her legal team to file an appeal at a higher court. She believes the Senate’s decision to block her from resuming work is not only unlawful but also shows disregard for the judiciary.

Akpoti-Uduaghan criticised the Senate under the leadership of Godswill Akpabio, accusing it of acting above the law. She insisted that her authority to serve as senator comes from the people of Kogi Central who elected her, not from the approval of any Senate leader. She described the refusal to admit her into the chamber as a direct challenge to the court’s judgement and a worrying signal for Nigeria’s democratic process.

She also raised concerns about the legitimacy of her original suspension, calling it flawed and based on faulty documentation. She said the process lacked transparency and fairness from the start.

In response to the unfolding situation, Akpoti-Uduaghan confirmed she would escalate the matter legally, seeking clarity from an appellate court on the enforcement of the court order. She described herself as a law-abiding citizen determined to pursue justice through proper legal channels.

As of now, the Senate has not made any official comment on the court’s ruling or the events of Tuesday. The silence from the leadership has left many questioning the direction of legislative accountability and respect for judicial authority in the country.