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Senator Natasha demands reinstatement after court voided her suspension.
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Her legal team cites constitutional rights and July 15 return date.
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Court ruled Senate’s suspension order lacked legal and democratic basis.
Suspended Senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has formally demanded her reinstatement by the Senate, citing a Federal High Court judgment that declared her six-month suspension unlawful, excessive, and unconstitutional.
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EKO HOT BLOG reports that in a letter dated July 11, 2025, issued by her legal representatives, M.J Numa & Partners LLP, the senator urged the National Assembly to immediately comply with the ruling delivered by Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court, Abuja.
The letter, titled “RE: SUIT NO: FHC/ABJ/CS/384/2025 – Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan v. The Clerk of the National Assembly & Ors.: Forwarding of Court Order and Demand for Compliance”, was signed by Michael Jonathan Numa (SAN).
The legal team stated that Justice Nyako’s judgment made “several findings and orders,” including a definitive declaration in Order 10 that the suspension imposed on Akpoti-Uduaghan was “excessive, overreaching, and inconsistent with the provisions of Section 63 of the 1999 Constitution.”
Citing Section 63, the letter argued that the senator’s suspension had denied her constituents their right to representation, thus violating democratic principles. The legal team emphasized that the court’s decision is binding and urged the Senate to uphold the rule of law.
“We respectfully demand that you give immediate effect to the clear and binding order of the Federal High Court by taking all necessary steps to facilitate Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s resumption of her legislative duties forthwith,” the letter stated.
The senator has officially notified the Senate of her intention to resume legislative duties on Tuesday, July 15, 2025, and called on Senate leadership to make necessary arrangements in line with the court order.
Justice Nyako, in her ruling, faulted the Senate’s reliance on Chapter 8 of its Standing Rules and Section 14 of the Legislative Houses (Powers and Privileges) Act, describing the provisions as vague and not constitutionally grounded.
The judgment has since stirred national discourse over the extent of parliamentary disciplinary powers, with legal experts suggesting it could set a judicial precedent limiting legislative overreach.
As of the time of filing this report, the Senate leadership had not issued an official response to the reinstatement demand
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