Senator Natasha Should File Fresh Case Against Senate, Refusal To Let Her Resume Is Unconstitutional –adeyanju

According to him, the court might drag Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s case on for a long time, “but she should still file the action nonetheless for posterity’s sake.”

Human rights lawyer, Barrister Deji Adeyanju, has advised Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan to file a fresh court case against the Nigerian Senate over its refusal to allow her to resume her constitutional duties after the expiration of her six-month suspension.

Adeyanju, in a post on his verified X (formerly Twitter) account on Tuesday, condemned the Senate’s refusal to allow Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan to resume duty, describing the action of the upper legislative chamber as unconstitutional.

“The right thing will be to file a fresh case challenging the refusal to let her resume after the 6-month suspension period and the unconstitutional act of the Clerk of NASS taking the decision when the law is clear that only her colleagues can take such an action in parliament,” Adeyanju said.

According to him, the court might drag Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s case on for a long time, “but she should still file the action nonetheless for posterity’s sake.”

“This should be a good time to release the evidence against Akpabio so that she can win in court of public opinion,” the lawyer said.

Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended in March, and the suspension elapsed in September.

However, SaharaReporters earlier reported that the Clerk to the National Assembly told Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan that her suspension from the Senate could not be addressed until the judicial process was concluded and formally reviewed.

In a letter dated September 4, signed by the Acting Clerk to the National Assembly, Dr. Yahaya Danzaria, the Senate claimed that the issue of her suspension remained subjudice.

Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan had written to the Clerk on August 28, notifying the Senate of the expiration of her six-month suspension period.

She stated that she is entitled to resume her duties as a Senator and requested access to her office and facilities.

She reminded the Clerk that despite the judgment of the Federal High Court delivered on July 4, 2025 which held that “my suspension was excessive and unconstitutional, subsequently directing the senate to recall me to resume my legislative duties, I was denied entry into the National Assembly complex on the 21st day of July, 2025 on the grounds that the Senate President filed an appeal to the Court of Appeal against my resumption.

“I write to formally notify you on my decision to resume my legislative function upon the expiration of the suspension period.”

She further stated, “Notwithstanding that the Senate is currently be on recess, I hereby formally request that arrangements be made to grant me immediate access to my senatorial office upon expiration of the suspension on 4th September, 2025.”

The Senator argued that her suspension was legally limited to six months and that, with the period now elapsed, her full rights and privileges as a lawmaker should be automatically restored.

She further demanded immediate reinstatement, insisting that adequate arrangements be made to guarantee her unhindered access to her office and legislative facilities.

SAHARA REPORTERS