The Nigerian Senate has said it cannot immediately reinstate suspended Kogi Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan until it receives and reviews the Certified True Copy (CTC) of the recent court judgment mandating her recall.
This clarification came from Senator Yemi Adaramodu, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, during an interview with the newsmen on Sunday in Abuja.
Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central, was suspended for six months on March 6, 2025, following sexual harassment allegations she made against Senate President Godswill Akpabio. Her suspension was based on a recommendation by the Senate Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct, and Public Petitions, chaired by Senator Neda Imasuen (APC–Edo South).
The matter took a legal turn when Akpoti-Uduaghan challenged her suspension at the Federal High Court in Abuja, where Justice Binta Nyako ruled last week that she should be recalled. The court, however, imposed a ₦5 million fine on the senator for contempt.
But according to Senator Adaramodu, the Senate has not acted on the judgment because it is still awaiting the official court document.
“The Senate had applied for the CTC since Monday. We expect to get the document, and once we get it, we are going to comply with the content of the court order,” he said.
He emphasized that the Senate must formally study the judgment before making any decision, in line with its Standing Orders.
“But first, the Senate will sit and consider the contents of the CTC, and when we look at the contents, then we shall take a position. It was for this that we have Standing Orders. And enforcing the orders means that anybody that contravenes it, the aggregated whole chamber of the Senate can reprimand such a person,” he added.
Addressing public commentary on the matter, Adaramodu said some reactions seemed to ignore the legal and procedural process involved.
“Possibly, what they were expecting was that anybody can disobey; anybody can break any rule, and that the Senate must not take any stand,” he noted.
The senator representing Ekiti South clarified that the 180-day suspension imposed on Akpoti-Uduaghan includes non-parliamentary days, contradicting claims that the suspension was excessive.
“What the Senate rules say is that you should observe, adhere to, and fulfill the 180 parliamentary days,” he said, adding that only those familiar with legislative practice truly understand how such disciplinary actions are handled.
