ABUJA, Nigeria — Six months after her controversial suspension from the Nigerian Senate, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan remains locked out of office — not by new disciplinary action, but by legal and procedural uncertainty that now sits at the intersection of judicial interpretation and legislative authority.
The senator representing Kogi Central, who was suspended from the Senate on March 6, 2025, has officially served out the six-month suspension term. However, her attempts to return to the red chambers have been blocked, with the National Assembly insisting that no administrative steps can be taken until the courts conclude the legal battle that her suspension triggered.
Despite having written to the Clerk of the National Assembly notifying them of the expiration of her suspension and indicating readiness to resume legislative duties, the response from the legislative bureaucracy has been anything but welcoming.
In a letter dated August 30, signed by the Acting Clerk to the National Assembly, Yahaya Danzaria, the lawmaker was informed that the matter of her suspension is still under judicial review and remains sub judice — a Latin term meaning “under judgment” — and thus beyond administrative handling until the legal process concludes.
“The subject matter of your suspension is presently before the Court of Appeal,” the letter reads in part. “The matter therefore remains sub judice and until the judicial process is completed, and the Senate formally reviews the suspension in the light of the court’s pronouncement, no administrative action can be taken by this office to facilitate your resumption. You will be duly notified of the Senate’s decision on the matter as soon as it is resolved.”
This latest development has added another layer of complexity to a political saga that has gripped the nation’s legislative community and further raised constitutional questions about checks and balances, parliamentary immunity, and the judiciary’s role in legislative affairs.
The original six-month suspension, handed down in March, was met with widespread criticism from civil society organizations and opposition senators who argued that it was excessive, politically motivated, and possibly unconstitutional. Senator Natasha, known for her fiery independence and often dissenting voice, challenged the suspension in court.
In July 2025, the Federal High Court in Abuja delivered a judgment instructing the Senate to review the suspension, citing procedural lapses and a potential breach of the senator’s right to fair hearing and representation. Legal analysts described the ruling as a significant win for legislative accountability.
“The court did not outright nullify the suspension, but its language clearly suggested the Senate had overreached its powers,” said Dr. Ibrahim Bello, a constitutional lawyer and lecturer at the University of Abuja. “The court expected a reconsideration, not a digging in.”
Following that ruling, Senator Natasha attempted to resume office on July 12. She appeared at the National Assembly complex in Abuja, where she was reportedly denied entry by security personnel acting on instructions from the Senate leadership. The incident was caught on video and circulated widely on social media, drawing public outrage and sparking renewed debate about legislative overreach.
Both parties — Senator Natasha and the Senate — have since filed appeals on different aspects of the Federal High Court’s judgment, now pending before the Court of Appeal. It is this ongoing legal process that the Clerk to the National Assembly is now citing as grounds for inaction.
Though the legal argument appears procedural on the surface, political observers suggest deeper currents are at play.
Senator Natasha, a member of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has been an outspoken critic of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). Her suspension came shortly after a heated plenary session where she accused the Senate leadership of bias in committee allocations and exclusionary tactics — comments that reportedly angered senior members of the chamber.
Her supporters argue that her suspension was a punishment for refusing to toe the party line, while her critics maintain she violated Senate rules regarding decorum and legislative conduct.
“This is no longer about discipline or procedure,” said activist and policy analyst, Aisha Suleiman. “It’s about silencing a woman who speaks truth to power in a space dominated by men and political conformity. The legal delay is just a smokescreen.”
Senator Natasha’s legal team argues that having completed the six-month suspension period, she should be allowed to return to her legislative duties immediately, regardless of any ongoing appeal. According to them, the appeal does not constitute a stay of execution and therefore cannot be used to justify her continued exclusion.
“The Senate is violating both the letter and spirit of the law,” said her lead counsel, Barrister Donald Ekwo. “There is no court order restraining her resumption. The refusal to allow her return amounts to a fresh suspension by other means.”
However, the Senate’s legal counsel has maintained that because both parties are contesting the court’s judgment, status quo must be maintained until the appellate court delivers its ruling.
“It’s a matter of legislative procedure and judicial respect,” a source in the Senate Legal Unit told Newsweek. “We cannot risk acting in a way that prejudices the court process. Once the appellate court rules, the Senate will comply accordingly.”
With the National Assembly still on recess, no immediate legislative action is expected. However, pressure is mounting on Senate President Godswill Akpabio to address the issue publicly and clarify the Senate’s position on reinstating suspended members.
Legal experts say that once the court delivers its ruling, the Senate may still have to conduct an internal review — a potentially lengthy process involving the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions.
Meanwhile, constituents in Kogi Central are voicing frustration over what they see as unjustified delay.
“She was elected to represent us, not sit outside the gate of the Senate complex,” said Adamu Salihu, a community leader from Okene. “We want our voice back
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