Natasha’s lawyers insist her continued blockade after expiration of suspension is illegal, cite other instances of Senate disobedience of court orders
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
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Natasha’s lead counsel Michael Numa argued that the six-month suspension expired on September 6 and no legal or Senate resolution has extended it, therefore, the Senate and the Clerk’s office have no lawful grounds to prevent her resumption.
Numa also accused the NASS leadership of a pattern of judicial defiance, citing three major incidents:
- “March 4, 2025 – A Federal High Court order restrained the Senate from disciplining Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, but the Senate proceeded with the suspension two days later.
- “July 4, 2025 – The court declared the suspension illegal and ordered reinstatement, but the Clerk’s office failed to act.
- “September 4, 2025 – The Clerk issued a letter justifying continued suspension without any Senate resolution or judicial backing.”
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Lawyers for Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (PDP, Kogi Central) have sent a riposte to the Clerk of the National Assembly (NASS), demanding her immediate reinstatement upon the expiration of her suspension from the Senate.
Natasha was suspended for six months on March 6 following her argument with Senate President Godswill Akpabio over seating arrangement in the Chamber on the heels of sexual harassment allegation she levelled against Akpabio.
An Abuja Federal High Court later ruled the suspension unconstitutional and illegal but the Senate disobeyed the court order to reinstate her.
Earlier this month, Natasha wrote to the NASS Clerk notifying him of her intention to resume her seat upon the expiration of the suspension period, but the Clerk wrote back telling her she still could not return until the court case is finally determined.
Natasha’s lead counsel Michael Numa, in a letter dated September 10 addressed to the NASS Clerk, described the continued denial of her right to resume her legislative duties as a “grave constitutional breach” and a “politically motivated subversion of the sovereign will of the people.”
Numa accused the Clerk of acting ultra vires as his refusal to facilitate Natasha’s resumption is contempt of court and willful defiance of binding judicial orders.
Judge Binta Nyako on July 4 declared the suspension unlawful, excessive, and unconstitutional, and ordered the Senate to allow her to resume her duties.
“Despite the court ruling, the National Assembly, through the Clerk’s office, has refused to reinstate her,” Numa said.
The NASS Clerk in his letter dated September 4 cited the principle of sub judice, arguing that her court case remains pending and therefore no administrative action could be taken.
But Numa dismissed the Clerk’s reliance on the sub judice rule as “misguided” and a misapplication of legal doctrine intended to delay justice and suppress a duly elected lawmaker’s mandate.
“The doctrine is, at best, a self-imposed restraint on parliamentary debate concerning matters before the courts,” Numa wrote.
“It has never been – and cannot be – a lawful basis to deny administrative compliance with judicial orders or frustrate the exercise of constitutional rights.”
He argued that the six-month suspension expired on September 6 and no legal or Senate resolution has extended it, therefore, the Senate and the Clerk’s office have no lawful grounds to prevent her resumption.
Numa also accused the NASS leadership of a pattern of judicial defiance, citing three major incidents:
- “March 4, 2025 – A Federal High Court order restrained the Senate from disciplining Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, but the Senate proceeded with the suspension two days later.
- “July 4, 2025 – The court declared the suspension illegal and ordered reinstatement, but the Clerk’s office failed to act.
- “September 4, 2025 – The Clerk issued a letter justifying continued suspension without any Senate resolution or judicial backing.”
The letter added: “By assuming powers you do not possess, you have acted ultra vires and placed both yourself personally and your office in contempt of the Constitution and binding judicial orders.”
Numa asked the Clerk to facilitate Natasha’s resumption on or before Monday, September 15, 2025 or risk legal proceedings against his official and personal capacity.
Both the Socio Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) have accused Akpabio of personally preventing Natasha from resuming legislative duties, and asked him to stop the abuse of his office by obeying the law to ensure her return.
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