The six-month suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central, has not been revoked by the Senate.
Speaking on Monday, Senate spokesperson, Yemi Adaramodu, brushed off calls to reinstall Akpoti-Uduaghan and emphasised that the senate will carefully follow its laws.
He said, “There is no pressure anywhere that can take our eyes away from our noble statutes. The Senate will always regulate her conduct, as empowered in the Nigerian Constitution and as enshrined in our Standing Orders.
“The Senate is currently busy, working on the tax reform bills and preparing equally for the constitution review. We want to reflect the feelings of Nigerians on the Electoral Act before the 2027 elections.”
Taking a rather evasive position, the Senate Minority Leader, Abba Moro, also asserted that: “There is no pressure,” adding, however, that “Sometimes it is wisdom to allow time to heal wounds.”
On March 6, 2025, the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions suspended Akpoti-Uduaghan for violating Senate Standing Orders.
After a heated argument with Senate President Godswill Akpabio during plenary, she was suspended.
Senate President Akpabio, meantime, has disputed the Federal High Court in Abuja’s authority to hear Akpoti-Uduaghan’s lawsuit contesting her suspension.
Akpabio maintained that legislative issues should be settled internally and said that the court lacked the power to meddle in the Senate’s internal affairs through his legal team, which was headed by Kehinde Ogunwumiju (SAN).
In an attempt to prevent the Senate Ethics Committee from looking into her, Akpoti-Uduaghan has petitioned the Federal High Court.
Justice Obiora Egwuatu summoned a meeting of the Senate on March 4, 2025, to explain why Akpoti-Uduaghan’s prayers should not be granted.
The Senate was given 72 hours by the court to explain why it shouldn’t be permanently barred from looking into the senator’s alleged misbehaviour.
Justice Egwuatu also ordered that all court documents be served on the National Assembly through its Clerk or by publication in two national newspapers.
At the resumed hearing on Monday, Ogunwumiju argued that the plaintiff had not properly served him the court processes.
However, Akpoti-Uduaghan’s counsel, Michael Numa (SAN), countered that all parties had been served, presenting affidavits of service.
After reviewing the documents, Justice Egwuatu confirmed service and adjourned the case until March 25, 2025, directing all parties to file necessary responses before the next hearing.
Akwa Ibom group tackles Saraki
Relatedly, former Senate President Bukola Saraki has been chastised by the Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District Professionals in Akwa Ibom State for his remarks over the Natasha-Akpabio issue.
Although Saraki had demanded that the Senate conduct an open, transparent, and equitable investigation, the Akwa Ibom group charged him with trying to meddle in internal Senate affairs.
It claimed that Saraki’s comments would compromise due process in a statement signed by its national president, Edidiong John, and national secretary, Kemfon Neke.
“The pendency of this case in the judicial system renders any parallel investigation by the Senate improper and beyond its authority at this stage. This is not a matter of politicization, but a straightforward application of legal and parliamentary norms,” the statement read.
The group urged Saraki to respect the legal process, emphasising that Akpoti-Uduaghan had already filed a petition with the Senate Committee on Ethics, which would determine whether the Senate had jurisdiction over the matter.
“It is only the courts and the Ethics Committee that are the proper avenues for resolution. Nigerians expect the Senate to uphold its integrity and credibility within the bounds of the law,” the statement added.
The Senate is set to resume plenary on Tuesday, March 11, 2025.
