DESPITE a court ruling in her favor, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central Senatorial District, was conspicuously absent from Tuesday’s Senate plenary, contrary to her public declaration that she would return to her legislative duties that day.
The senator had, over the weekend, celebrated a Federal High Court judgment that voided her six-month suspension by the Senate, calling it unconstitutional and excessive. She had vowed to resume plenary on Tuesday, July 8, insisting that the ruling reinstated her rights as a legislator.
However, multiple sources have confirmed to News Point Nigeria that an alleged discreet but serious plan was underway to have her arrested if she appeared at the National Assembly complex.
One Senate insider revealed to News Point Nigeria that the leadership had made “covert arrangements” to embarrass and arrest Akpoti-Uduaghan on fresh charges distinct from the original suspension.
“There was a discreet arrangement to embarrass and arrest her if she dared to show up for violating the terms of her suspension. That’s an entirely different charge from what she is facing,” the source said.
The source further accused Senator Natasha of acting above the law by preempting the formal legal process. “She’s out there in the media announcing her return, yet the Senate hasn’t even been served with the Certified True Copy (CTC) of the court judgment. Ndume and Ningi were both suspended before her, but neither acted out like this.”
Confirming the tension, a senator from the North West told News Point Nigeria that if Akpoti-Uduaghan had appeared at plenary on Tuesday, “she would have been arrested and charged again.”
According to him, “Anybody coming to cause trouble and confusion in the Senate will be dealt with, regardless of their gender or court victory.”
However, sources close to Senator Natasha told this newspaper that she was fully prepared to appear on the floor until she was privately warned of the arrest threat.
A confidant revealed that she only decided to delay her return following intense persuasion by her legal team, senior colleagues in the Senate, and her husband, who urged caution until the court judgment was formally served to the Senate leadership.
“She was adamant about returning. But the warning came from credible sources and it was too risky. Her lawyers insisted the Senate had not yet received the judgment, so technically, they could accuse her of breaching protocol,” the source said.
The court ruling in question was issued last Friday by Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court in Abuja, the judge voided the Senate’s March 2025 suspension of Akpoti-Uduaghan, declaring it unconstitutional and a violation of her rights and those of her constituents.
Justice Nyako also pronounced her immediate reinstatement and awarded her ₦5 million in damages for contempt.
The contempt ruling stemmed from a satirical Facebook post the senator made in April, which the court said violated an earlier gag order. Justice Nyako ordered her to publish a formal apology within seven days in two national dailies and repost it on her Facebook page.
As of Tuesday evening, the senator had not complied with the apology directive—another potential flashpoint if she moves to resume without fulfilling the court’s orders in full.
The Senate leadership, for its part, maintains a cautious stance. In a statement on Tuesday, Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs Chairman, Senator Yemi Adaramodu, emphasized that the chamber would take no action until it officially receives and reviews the Certified True Copy of the ruling.
“Our legal team was in court but the entire judgment was not read in open court. Therefore, we are waiting for the CTC to determine the full scope of the decision and take legal advice,” Adaramodu said. “Until then, the Senate cannot and will not act on unofficial claims.”
Legal analysts suggest that even with the court ruling, Akpoti-Uduaghan’s return could still be delayed if the Senate pursues further legal avenues or insists on compliance with the contempt sanctions first. Her delayed apology and the strong resistance within Senate leadership may complicate any immediate reinstatement, regardless of the court’s position.
For now, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan remains in legal limbo—cleared by the court but held at bay by the Senate’s procedural rigidity and internal politics.
Her next steps and whether she complies with the court’s apology directive will likely determine whether her return is welcomed or blocked once the Senate finally receives the judgment in full.
Neither the Senate nor Senator Natasha could be reached by News Point Nigeria for comment on the arrest allegation as at the time of filing this report.