By Adenike Lawal
Suspended Senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, did not return to the Senate on Tuesday as widely expected, despite a Federal High Court ruling last Friday overturning her six-month suspension.
Her continued absence is linked to controversy surrounding her partial compliance with the court’s conditionsparticularly the requirement to issue a public apology in two national newspapers and on her verified social media handles. As of Tuesday, the apology had not been published.
Following the court’s decision, Akpoti-Uduaghan had taken to social media in a widely circulated video, expressing gratitude to her constituents and pledging to resume her legislative duties without delay. The video raised expectations of a dramatic re-entry into plenary.
However, the Senate leadership moved quickly to manage those expectations, stating that no action would be taken on her status until the Certified True Copy (CTC), of the court ruling was thoroughly reviewed.
Tensions at the National Assembly were palpable on Tuesday, with heightened security measures in place.
Access roads were heavily manned, vehicles searched, and visitors scrutinized-moves that observers linked to concerns over Natasha’s possible return, though security operatives denied any connection.
Her no-show sparked speculation that she may have received behind-the-scenes warnings from Senate authorities to stand down.
Fueling this theory was the circulation of an unverified legal memo, allegedly from the Senate’s legal team, dated July 5, 2025.
The memo reportedly argued that the court ruling did not constitute an enforceable order and advised Natasha’s lawyer, Jubrin Okutepa (SAN), to urge restraint until the enrolled order was made available.
The document, said to bear the name and signature of Senate counsel Paul Daudu, allegedly warned that any premature attempt by Natasha to return could trigger unrest on the Senate floor.
However, Daudu swiftly denied issuing any such memo, calling the claims false and disassociating himself from the circulating document.
For now, Akpoti-Uduaghan’s next steps remain unclear. While the Senate insists on due process, her supporters continue to hope for her eventual reinstatement following what many believed would be her victorious return to legislative duty.
