A lawyer, Ken Harries accused Akpoti-Uduaghan of hypocrisy for trying to enforce a judgment she had appealed.
Suspended senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has vowed to challenge the Senate leadership in court after security operatives barred her from accessing the National Assembly complex on Tuesday, defying a recent court ruling nullifying her suspension.
Speaking to journalists, Akpoti-Uduaghan described the action as a violation of Justice Binta Nyako’s judgment and an affront to democracy.
“Akpabio cannot be greater than the Nigerian Constitution,” she declared. “I got my legitimacy from the people of Kogi, not the Senate President.”
She confirmed plans to meet with her legal team to pursue appellate action.
Human rights activist Aisha Yesufu, who accompanied her, condemned the blockade, saying, “One day, you’ll be on the streets, begging the same people you oppressed.”
Security was tightened at the Assembly entrance, with patrol vans and officers denying them entry.
Meanwhile, Senior Advocate of Nigeria West Idahosa argued that the court had reinstated the senator, stating, “She is still a senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
However, lawyer Ken Harries countered, accusing Akpoti-Uduaghan of hypocrisy for trying to enforce a judgment she had appealed. “How can you enforce a judgment you’ve asked the court to set aside?” he queried.
The Senate has not officially responded to Tuesday’s incident.