Senate Postpones Action on Akpoti-Uduaghan Suspension Report

According to the Senate, it would not move on Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension until it has the Certified True Copy (CTC) of the Federal High Court of Abuja’s decision from last Friday.

On July 4, 2025, the court issued its decision in response to a lawsuit that Akpoti-Uduaghan had filed contesting her expulsion from the Red Chamber.

The upper legislative body accepted the court’s ruling in a statement released on Sunday by Senator Yemi Adaramodu, the chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, but insisted that the full language of the ruling had not yet been formally served to it.

“Our legal representatives who were present at the proceedings confirmed that the complete judgment was not read in open court,” the statement said in part.

In order to allow for a comprehensive study and well-informed decision regarding the proper legal reaction, we have legally applied for the Certified True Copy.

The Senate made it clear that it would not take any action that would compromise its legal standing until the entire ruling was examined, especially any possible order that would overturn Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension.

The statement claims that “no party to the case has been officially served the enrolled order of the judgment, so no one can enforce any perceived order or relief.”

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In his remark, Adaramodu also underlined the Senate’s continued commitment to due process and its strict adherence to the constitution’s requirements.

This incident coincides with the suspension of Kogi Central Senatorial District representative Akpoti-Uduaghan, which has drawn increasing public attention and political scrutiny.

Public discussion on elected representatives’ rights, legislative overreach, and the distribution of power between the legislature and the judiciary was spurred by her suspension in March 2025.

PDP member Akpoti-Uduaghan was controversially suspended in March of this year for what the Senate referred to as “unparliamentary conduct.”

Legal professionals and civil society organizations criticized the suspension, questioning the Senate’s power to prevent an elected representative from serving her constituency.

To reaffirm her constitutional right to participate in legislative processes and to reverse her suspension, Akpoti-Uduaghan responded by filing a lawsuit at the Federal High Court.

The court apparently decided in her favor on July 4, although it’s still unclear what the specifics of the ruling were, such as if the suspension was specifically revoked.

Legal experts contend that the Senate cannot be held legally obligated until the judgment’s CTC is served.

The optics of delay, according to some observers, may, nevertheless, reinforce the idea that institutions are opposed to court supervision.

The Senate reaffirmed its dedication to the rule of law and urged the people to exercise patient in its statement.

Once the court’s rulings are fully clarified, the Senate will scrupulously adhere to the Federal Republic of Nigeria’s Constitution and maintain its commitment to maintaining the rule of law, the statement stated.

The publication of the CTC could decide whether Akpoti-Uduaghan returns to the Senate floor or whether the legal battle intensifies, therefore the next few days are anticipated to be crucial.