The Senate has stated that it will not move on Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension until it has received the Certified True Copy (CTC) of the Federal High Court of Abuja’s decision from last Friday.
In response to a lawsuit brought by Akpoti-Uduaghan contesting her expulsion from the red chamber, the court issued its decision on July 4, 2025.
The upper legislative body accepted the court’s ruling in a statement released on Sunday by Senator Yemi Adaramodu, the chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, but insisted that the full language of the verdict had not yet been formally served to it.
“Our legal representatives, who were present at the proceedings, confirmed that the complete judgment was not read in open court,” the statement said in part.
Therefore, in order to facilitate a comprehensive assessment and well-informed decision regarding the proper legal reaction, we have legally requested for the Certified True Copy.
The Senate emphasized that it will not take any action that might compromise its legal position until the entire ruling is examined, especially any possible order reversing Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension.
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“No one can enforce any perceived order or relief since no party to the case has been officially served the enrolled order of the judgment,” the statement reads.
Adaramodu’s statement also underlined the Senate’s continued commitment to due process and its rigorous adherence to the constitution’s requirements.
The event coincides with the suspension of Kogi Central Senatorial District representative Akpoti-Uduaghan, which has drawn increasing public attention and political scrutiny.
Public discussion over elected representatives’ rights, legislative overreach, and the distribution of power between the legislature and the court was spurred by her suspension in March 2025.
In March of this year, PDP member Akpoti-Uduaghan was controversially suspended for what the Senate referred to as “unparliamentary conduct.”
Legal experts and civil society organizations criticized the suspension, questioning the Senate’s power to prevent an elected representative from serving her constituency.
Akpoti-Uduaghan responded by suing the Federal High Court to revoke her suspension and restore her constitutional right to participate in the legislative process.
Although the court apparently decided in her favor on July 4, it is still unclear what the specifics of the ruling were, such as if the suspension was specifically revoked.
Legal experts contend that the Senate cannot be subject to any legally binding obligations until the judgment’s CTC is served.
The optics of delay, according to some observers, may, nevertheless, reinforce the idea that institutions are opposed to judicial monitoring.
The Senate reaffirmed its commitment to the rule of law and urged the people to exercise patience in its statement.
After the court’s rulings are fully clarified, the Senate will scrupulously adhere to the Federal Republic of Nigeria’s Constitution and maintain its commitment to maintaining the rule of law, the statement stated.
The CTC’s publication might decide whether Akpoti-Uduaghan returns to the Senate floor or whether the legal battle intensifies, therefore the next few days are anticipated to be crucial.
