Senate spokesperson, Yemi Adaramodu warned that any attempt to force her way into the chamber would be deemed disruptive.
Suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has announced plans to resume plenary today, despite the Senate’s insistence that her suspension remains valid.
The Kogi Central lawmaker, suspended in March, cited a Federal High Court judgment as the basis for her return. “I have written to the Senate again telling them that I’m resuming on the 22nd… because the court did decide on that,” she said.
Her lawyer, West Idahosa (SAN), argued the ruling rendered the suspension unconstitutional and excessive, affirming that she remains a sitting senator.
But the Senate has pushed back. In a statement Sunday, Senate spokesperson Yemi Adaramodu maintained there is “no subsisting court order mandating the Senate to recall” her, explaining that the judgment only offered a non-binding advisory.
Justice Binta Nyako had described the suspension as excessive but also fined Akpoti-Uduaghan ₦5m for contempt and ordered her to apologise publicly.
Adaramodu warned any attempt to force her way into the chamber would be deemed disruptive.
As of press time, her aide could not confirm her attendance. The Senate says it will act only after reviewing the Certified True Copy of the judgment.
The face-off sets the stage for a potential legal and legislative showdown.