July 22, (THEWILL) — Moves by the suspended Kogi Central senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, to resume legislative duties were halted on Tuesday, as Security Operatives blocked her access to the main complex of the National Assembly.
THEWILL reports that Natasha arrived on Tuesday at the National Assembly to resume plenary in fulfilment of her earlier notice following a judgement delivered by Justice Binta Nyako, which nullified her six-month suspension by the Senate.
Natasha had been suspended for six months due to misconduct and a violation of Senate rules. Her suspension includes the withdrawal of her salary, security details, and barred access to the National Assembly premises, as well as the requirement to identify herself as a senator.
Justice Nyako had, on July 4, voided her suspension and ordered her immediate reinstatement, describing the disciplinary action by the Senate as “excessive, unconstitutional, and a violation of her constituents’ rights.”
The court declared the six-month suspension “excessive” and declared the provision of Chapter 8 of the Senate Standing Rules as well as section 14 of the Legislative Houses, Powers & Privileges Act, as overreaching.
Justice Nyako had emphasised that the Senate’s disciplinary action lacked constitutional validity and called for a revision of its internal procedures to align with democratic norms and the rights of elected representatives. Justice Nyako noted that legislators must attend at least 161 sitting days per legislative year and emphasised that the six-month suspension denied the people of Kogi Central effective representation.
While the Senate had warned Natasha to halt her planned resumption, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Senator Yemi Adaramodu, said in a statement on Sunday that the court merely offered an “advisory opinion” and not a compulsory directive to the upper legislative chamber.
However, attempts by Senator Natasha to resume legislative duties were halted on Tuesday as Security Operatives at the National Assembly denied her access to the complex.
Flanked by activist Aisha Yesufu and other supporters, Natasha walked into the premises after security operatives at the entrance gate to the National Assembly stopped her convoy.
Speaking to journalists, the embattled lawmaker expressed disappointment that she was prevented from resuming duties as a duly elected member of the Senate.
She added that she was also disappointed by the number of armed policemen stationed at the National Assembly gate, adding that the Senate, under the leadership of Godswill Akpabio, had decided to become lawbreakers by preventing her from entering the chambers.
While insisting that the court asked her to resume, she clarified that pursuant to Section 318 of the Constitution, judgements of the court could come in 5 ways, including recommendation, which applies in her case.
“It’s about me and a duly elected senator walking into the chambers to resume my constituted duties, as I was elected and mandated by the good people of Kogi Central and INEC. It’s unfortunate that we got in today, which is the 22nd of July, 2025, having duly notified the Senate through two letters that I will be resuming functions today.
“As a matter of fact, I’m disappointed on two grounds. One is the number of armed policemen that we met outside, you know, all well kitted with guns, who charged at a female senator who was unarmed. The second thing is the fact that the Senate, under the leadership of Akpabio, of course, have decided to become law breakers, and by denying the entrance into the chambers to resume my team”, she said.
On the Senate’s appeal, she pointed out that the Senate President, and not the Senate or the Ethics Committee, appealed the judgement.
“It is clear that it is not the National Assembly, nor is it the Senate. It’s [Senator Akpabio] himself… The National Assembly has not appealed that judgement. The Senate has not appealed the judgement”, she said.
Natasha vowed to approach the appeal court to get an interpretation on the refusal of the Senate security personnel to allow her entrance into the assembly complex.
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