The senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who is currently under suspension, has announced plans to take the Senate leadership to the appellate court after being denied entry into the National Assembly complex on Tuesday.
Clearly angered, Akpoti-Uduaghan informed reporters that she would immediately consult with her lawyers to begin the legal process, describing the Senate’s action as a breach of the recent court ruling in her favour.
Her response followed the refusal of security personnel to grant her access to the National Assembly, despite a judicial order that nullified her extended suspension.
She also questioned the legitimacy of her suspension from the start, saying, “Even the suspension ab initio was fraudulent— it was faulty.”
On what she plans to do next, she stated, “Going forward, I will have a meeting with my legal team so they can proceed to the appellate court to seek interpretation of what just happened. I am a law-abiding citizen.”
Akpoti-Uduaghan further criticised the Senate’s move, describing it as defiance of the judiciary led by Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
She said, “Akpabio cannot be greater than the Nigerian Constitution. I want Nigerians to know that the Office of the Senate President doesn’t give me legitimacy as a senator.
“The fact that he has gone on appeal does not invalidate the decision of Justice Binta Nyako, and that does not stop me from being a senator.
I got my legitimacy as a senator from the people of Kogi, who voted me into office as senator.
“That I have been denied entrance to the National Assembly is a statement being made. It’s on record that the National Assembly under Akpabio has decided to be in contempt of a court decision, and it’s quite ironic that they are lawmakers. That poses the question: how far is our democracy in this day and age?”
Earlier that day, Akpoti-Uduaghan arrived at the Assembly premises where her supporters had gathered in anticipation of her return.
A noticeable increase in security was seen at the entrance, with heavily-armed personnel inspecting vehicles and restricting entry to only the external parking area.
At least five police patrol vans were positioned at key points near the Assembly’s main gate.
Akpoti-Uduaghan later arrived with activist Aisha Yesufu, co-founder of the #BringBackOurGirls campaign.
However, the security agents refused them access to the building.
During the altercation, Yesufu expressed strong disapproval, accusing the police of acting unlawfully and warning them they might one day need public support.
“One day you will be on the streets, as a retired person, begging the same people you oppressed to protest on your behalf.”
Frustrated by the restriction, she urged the officers to reconsider their part in shaping the country’s future.
“At this age, is this what you want to be doing? Is this the Nigeria you want for your children? You’re destroying the future of your own children,” she declared.
She also criticised the officers for not revealing who ordered the blockade.
“We respect the law, but that does not mean we are cowards. This is the National Assembly—it belongs to all Nigerians. You are blocking people and can’t even say who sent you. Are you proud of that?”
She went on to describe the police force as “a shameless willing tool of oppression,” recalling an earlier protest held in support of police welfare that was ironically disrupted by other officers.
As of the time of filing this report, there had been no official reaction from the Senate on the standoff.
Two days prior, the Senate had reiterated its earlier stance, maintaining that the senator remains barred from participating in its activities until her suspension period lapses.
The Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs Chairman, Yemi Adaramodu, reaffirmed on Sunday that no court had issued a binding order for her immediate reinstatement.
Akpoti-Uduaghan, however, maintained that while her suspension did not prevent her from continuing her work in her constituency, it had stopped her from fulfilling essential legislative responsibilities such as bill sponsorship and motion presentation.
Her legal representative, West Idahosa, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, backed her claims by stating the court ruling permitted her to return.
“Let me be honest with you. Attendance is a legislative action. As far as we are concerned, we are focused on the appeal and other issues before the court.
“I think the decision to go back to the Senate will be determined by the constituents.
“Now that she said she wants to go and resume, let us see what the reaction of the Senate will be. But the most important thing is that she is still a senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” he said in a phone interview.
Akpoti-Uduaghan was previously suspended for six months following her involvement in a seating dispute within the chamber.
However, a Federal High Court decision issued by Justice Nyako annulled that suspension, prompting the senator to attempt to resume her legislative functions.
Lawyer faults Natasha
Prominent legal practitioner Ken Harris criticised Akpoti-Uduaghan for attempting to act on a court ruling that she had already appealed against, describing her actions as trying to “eat her cake and still have it.”
Harris issued a statement on Tuesday responding to her attempted return to the National Assembly.
He questioned the appropriateness of her approach, describing it as “taking the law into her own hands.”
“In all my years of legal practice, I’ve never seen such a blatant display of lawlessness from someone who is supposed to be a federal lawmaker.
“How do you storm the National Assembly with a group of partisans under the guise of enforcing a judgment?
“There are proper legal procedures for enforcing court judgments. It is not for individuals to create a crisis atmosphere and claim they are enforcing the law,” he added.
He pointed out that she had already filed an appeal challenging the judgment about a week ago and was asking the Court of Appeal to reverse it.
Harris questioned her logic: “How can you seek to enforce a judgment you have openly rejected, appealed against, and asked to be set aside?
“Even if the judgment was still valid and enforceable, has she complied with all the orders contained in it, including the payment of N5m and a public apology published in two newspapers and on her Facebook page?
“If she has failed to obey those aspects of the judgment, on what moral ground does she accuse the Senate leadership of lawlessness?” Harries asked.
He ended by advising her legal team to provide better guidance that respects the rule of law.
“Anyone who seeks equity must come with clean hands,” the lawyer said.
Attempts to reach Akpoti-Uduaghan’s aides and legal counsel for an official response were unsuccessful as they could not be contacted by phone at the time this report was filed.
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