Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, accused the Senate leadership of defying a judicial ruling after she was barred from entering the Senate chambers on Tuesday, sparking a fresh constitutional standoff at the National Assembly.
Speaking to journalists at the National Assembly gate, the embattled lawmaker declared, “The Senate has become lawbreakers,” condemning the leadership’s refusal to honour a Federal High Court verdict that nullified her six-month suspension.
The court, on July 4, 2025, ruled that Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension was unconstitutional and excessive, mandating her immediate reinstatement.
The senator had formally notified the Senate of her intention to resume legislative duties on July 22 through two letters.
However, her attempt to enter the chambers was met with a heavy presence of armed security personnel, which she described as a disproportionate response.
“I’m disappointed on two grounds. One is the number of armed policemen, all well-kitted with guns, charged at a female senator who is unarmed,” she said.
“The second is the fact that the Senate, under the leadership of Akpabio, has decided to become lawbreakers by denying my entrance to resume my duties.”
Akpoti-Uduaghan emphasised her mandate, stating, “It’s about a duly elected senator walking into the chambers to resume my constituted duties as mandated by the good people of Kogi Central and INEC.”
She accused the Senate of attempting to “twist a narrative” to undermine the court’s ruling.
Citing Section 318 of the 1999 Nigerian Constitution, she clarified that a court’s “decision” includes decrees, sentences, and recommendations, all of which are binding.
She further referenced Section 287, Subsection 3, which mandates that court decisions are enforceable on all authorities.
The senator revealed that Senate President Godswill Akpabio had filed an appeal against the court’s ruling, but she clarified that the appeal was in his personal capacity, not on behalf of the National Assembly or the Senate.
Displaying a document to journalists, she stated, “The National Assembly has not appealed that judgment. The Senate has not appealed the judgment.”
She noted that Akpabio had joined the National Assembly, the Senate, and its Ethics Committee as respondents in his appeal, suggesting a conflict within the Senate leadership.
The standoff escalated as Akpoti-Uduaghan, accompanied by activists including Aisha Yesufu and a crowd of supporters, faced resistance at the gate, with security operatives blocking her convoy. Supporters chanted solidarity songs and urged her to push through, highlighting the growing tension.
The incident underscores broader concerns about the Senate’s compliance with judicial rulings and the state of democratic institutions in Nigeria.