Senate Speaks On Reinstating Natasha Following Court Order

Last updated: Jul 5, 2025. 6:33 am

By Praise Ben

3 Min Read

Senator Natasha demands reinstatement after court voided her suspension. Her legal team cites constitutional rights and July 15 return date. Court ruled Senate’s suspension order lacked legal and democratic basis.

Senate Speaks On Reinstating Natasha Following Court Order.
Senate insists disciplinary powers remain and demands senator’s restitution first.
Senate will decide on her reinstatement after she fulfils court’s directive.

The 10th Senate has responded to the ruling by a Federal High Court in Abuja, which nullified the six-month suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan and ordered her immediate reinstatement.

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EKO HOT BLOG reports that Justice Binta Nyako, in her judgment on Friday, described the suspension of the Kogi Central lawmaker as excessive and directed the Senate to reinstate her.

Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended in March for six months over alleged gross misconduct following a public disagreement with Senate President Godswill Akpabio concerning the Senate’s sitting arrangements.

Addressing journalists in Abuja shortly after the ruling, Senate Spokesperson Yemi Adaramodu maintained that the court’s decision does not strip the Senate of its constitutional powers to discipline its members.

He insisted that the Senate would not automatically reinstate Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan without further deliberations, emphasising that the Red Chamber retains its authority to sanction lawmakers.

“Which judgment are we appealing when the court clearly stated that the Senate has the right to discipline its erring members?” Adaramodu said. “The court has not taken away the Senate’s constitutional power to discipline any senator.”

He explained that the court’s ruling requires the suspended senator to first fulfil certain conditions, including offering restitution, before the Senate can act on the reinstatement.

“The court has instructed her to take specific steps, including making an apology. Once she does that, the Senate will reconvene to review her actions and decide on the next course of action,” Adaramodu noted.

He stressed that the responsibility now lies with Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan to comply with the court’s directives.

Senate Speaks On Reinstating Natasha Following Court Order

“The onus is now on her. Once she takes the necessary steps as prescribed by the court, the Senate will sit to evaluate the situation and determine our response,” he added.