Senator Natasha Issues Monday Deadline to National Assembly Clerk Over Resumption

Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (PDP–Kogi Central) has given the Clerk of the National Assembly a Monday deadline to facilitate her return to the Senate or face legal action. In a letter dated September 10, 2025, and signed by her lead counsel, Michael Jonathan Numa, SAN, the senator stated that her six-month suspension, which began on March 6, 2025, expired on September 6, 2025. She argued that any further attempt to prevent her from resuming her legislative duties is illegal and amounts to contempt of court. The Clerk had earlier maintained that Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan could not return to the chamber because her case remains “sub judice.” However, her legal team dismissed that argument as baseless and a misapplication of the law, stressing that her suspension was time-bound and had already lapsed. “Your refusal to facilitate our client’s resumption is unconstitutional and unlawful. Should this continue beyond Monday, we will have no option but to initiate contempt proceedings and pursue every available legal remedy,” the letter read. The dispute traces back to March when the Senate suspended the Kogi lawmaker over what it described as “unruly conduct” during plenary. The suspension followed her public accusations of sexual harassment against Senate President Godswill Akpabio, an allegation he has consistently denied. The development immediately stirred nationwide debates, with civil society organizations and opposition figures condemning the suspension as politically motivated and unconstitutional. Women’s rights advocates and pro-democracy groups have also insisted that her continued exclusion undermines the rights of Kogi Central constituents, who deserve to have their senator participate fully in legislative business. The Monday ultimatum has now placed the Clerk of the National Assembly at the center of the controversy. Analysts say his decision in the coming days could either ease tensions or trigger a fresh round of legal and political battles. Should the Clerk ignore the warning, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s legal team is expected to file for injunctions and contempt charges to enforce her reinstatement. Constitutional experts note that the outcome of this case could set an important precedent on the limits of parliamentary discipline, the independence of the legislature, and the constitutional rights of elected lawmakers. For now, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan remains resolute, vowing to exhaust all legal options to secure her return to the Senate chamber and continue representing the people of Kogi Central.