The legal and political storm surrounding the embattled senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, continues to escalate, despite a recent court judgment declaring her six-month suspension from the Senate as unconstitutional and excessive. Days after her victory in court, the senator has failed to resume legislative duties as promised, citing unclear circumstances that continue to cast a long shadow over her reinstatement.

Akpoti-Uduaghan had been suspended by the Senate in March 2025 following a chaotic plenary session during which she accused Senate President Godswill Akpabio of sexual harassment. The explosive allegation, made on the Senate floor, triggered immediate backlash and was followed by a resolution that barred her from legislative activities for six months, a move that sparked widespread criticism from civil society groups and human rights advocates who decried the action as punitive and politically motivated.

On Friday, July 5, in a significant development, the Federal High Court in Abuja, presided over by Justice Binta Nyako, ruled in favor of the senator. The court nullified her suspension, describing it as a violation of her fundamental rights and an infringement on the right of her constituents to be represented. Justice Nyako declared that the Senate had acted beyond its constitutional limits and ordered her immediate recall.

However, the legal victory was not without caveats. The court also imposed a ₦5 million fine on the senator for contempt, citing a Facebook post in which she issued what the court described as a “mock apology” to the Senate President. The judge ruled that the post breached an earlier gag order related to the case, thereby constituting contempt of court.

In her ruling, Justice Nyako mandated Akpoti-Uduaghan to issue a public apology within seven days. The apology, the court directed, must be published in two national newspapers and reposted on her official Facebook page. As of Tuesday evening, however, the senator had yet to comply with that aspect of the ruling.

Meanwhile, hopes for a triumphant return to the Red Chamber were dashed when the senator, who had earlier vowed to resume legislative duties on Tuesday, was notably absent. Her absence came amid heightened security measures at the National Assembly complex in Abuja, where security operatives conducted thorough vehicle checks and monitored movement closely—an unusual sight even by the Capitol’s standards.

Though National Assembly officials insisted that the security operation had no connection to the suspended senator, speculations mounted, with many suggesting that Akpoti-Uduaghan had been privately warned by Senate leadership to stay away at least until the Certified True Copy (CTC) of the court judgment was made available.

Adding to the intrigue was a viral letter purportedly authored by Paul Daudu, legal counsel for the Senate. The letter, dated July 5, claimed that the Federal High Court’s judgment did not amount to an enforceable order invalidating her suspension. It allegedly advised J.S. Okutepa (SAN), lead counsel to Akpoti-Uduaghan, to prevent her from attending Senate sessions until the enrolled court order was officially released.

The letter, however, turned out to be fraudulent. In a strongly worded Facebook post, Daudu disassociated himself from the document, calling it a fabrication. “Please ignore the purported open letter circulating on social media. It is unsigned and was not issued by me,” he wrote. “I do not know the source of that letter. The use of my name and that of my firm in the document is a gross misrepresentation.”

Despite the legal triumph, it remains unclear when or if Akpoti-Uduaghan will resume her legislative duties. Senate sources indicated that no official decision would be taken on her reinstatement until the court’s Certified True Copy is received and reviewed by legal advisers. That CTC is expected to be released Wednesday, July 10, according to insiders.

Amid the impasse, the Senate is moving swiftly to tighten its internal disciplinary framework. On Monday, a bill aimed at amending the Legislative Houses (Powers and Privileges) Act passed its first reading. Titled the Legislative Houses (Powers and Privileges) Act (Amendment) Bill, 2025 (SB. 708), the legislation is being championed by Senator Shehu Kaka, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Special Duties.

The bill seeks to fill critical gaps in existing law by clearly defining the duration and scope of suspensions and setting explicit procedural guidelines for disciplinary measures against lawmakers. If passed, the amendment would grant the Senate more defined authority to sanction erring members while reducing room for arbitrary interpretation; a significant development that could redefine legislative discipline in Nigeria.

Speaking to reporters, Senator Kaka explained that the amendment was necessary to “clarify and strengthen disciplinary provisions,” noting that the Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan case revealed “ambiguities” in how suspensions are managed and enforced. “We believe this is the right time to introduce these reforms to avoid future controversies and maintain the integrity of the legislative process,” he said.

The proposed amendment comes just four days after Justice Nyako’s ruling and appears to be a direct institutional response to the legal constraints that the Senate encountered in its battle with Akpoti-Uduaghan.

For now, the fate of the Kogi Central senator hangs in the balance. With the court-mandated apology still outstanding and tensions at the National Assembly running high, observers are watching closely to see whether Akpoti-Uduaghan will meet her legal obligations in time and whether the Senate will honor the court’s decision or mount a procedural challenge.