The Senate has issued a stern warning to suspended lawmaker, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, urging her to “stay away from the Senate chambers and allow due process to run its full course,” amidst claims that she plans to resume plenary duties on Tuesday, July 22, 2025, despite no court order mandating her recall.
The Senate also firmly denied claims that it has been ordered by any court to immediately recall suspended lawmaker, Akpoti-Uduaghan, warning her against any premature attempt to resume plenary duties under what it called a “false pretext.”
In a statement on Sunday signed by Yemi Adaramodu, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, the Senate clarified that the judgment delivered by Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court in Abuja does not contain a binding directive requiring the upper legislative chamber to end Senator Natasha’s suspension before its expiration.
“The Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 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,” the statement read in part.
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This development comes after Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, again on Saturday evening on a Television interview, declared her intention to return to the red chamber on Tuesday, July 22, 2025, citing the recent court judgment as her legal basis for resumption. But the Senate insists her interpretation of the ruling is “legally untenable.”
“It is therefore surprising and legally untenable that Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, while on appeal and having filed a motion for stay against the valid and binding orders made against her, is attempting to act upon an imaginary order of recall that does not exist,” Senator Adaramodu said.
He added that contrary to the Senator’s claims, the Federal High Court merely gave a non-binding advisory, suggesting that the Senate may consider reviewing its Standing Orders and reassessing the duration of the suspension, which the court opined “might be excessive.”
“However, the Court explicitly held that the Senate did not breach any law or constitutional provision in imposing the disciplinary measure based on the Senator’s misconduct during plenary,” the Senate spokesperson clarified.
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Further complicating Senator Natasha’s legal standing, the court reportedly found her guilty of contempt and imposed sanctions, including a ₦5 million fine payable to the Federal Government and a mandatory apology in two national dailies and on her Facebook page, directives the Senate says remain unfulfilled.
“Till date, these directives remain uncomplied with,” Adaramodu stated. “The Senate emphasises once more: there is no enforceable order directing her immediate return to the chamber.”
The Senate also issued a stern warning to the embattled lawmaker, urging her not to force her way into the chamber next week, as such action would “undermine the dignity of the Senate and violate due process.”
“We advise the Distinguished Senator to refrain from any attempt to storm the Senate next Tuesday under a false pretext, as doing so would not only be premature but also undermine the dignity of the Senate and violate due process,” the statement warned.
According to the Senate, it remains committed to upholding the rule of law and the sanctity of its internal disciplinary procedures.
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Adaramodu reiterated that the institution will, in due time, consider the court’s advisory opinions regarding both the amendment of its Standing Orders and the review of Senator Natasha’s suspension.
“Until then, she is respectfully advised to stay away from the Senate chambers and allow due process to run its full course,” he concluded.
