Kogi Central Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has postponed her return to the Senate for legislative duties to next week Tuesday as a mark of respect for late former President Muhammadu Buhari.
Mr Buhari died on Sunday prompting the National Assembly to suspend all legislative activities in both chambers until next week.
Akpoti-Uduaghan had earlier notified the Clerk of the National Assembly of her readiness to resume duties, following a Federal High Court judgment that nullified her six-month suspension.
However, in a new letter from her legal counsel, Michael Numa, the senator rescheduled her resumption in light of the national mourning.
“Finally, following the unfortunate demise of President Muhammadu Buhari, GCON, our client intends to resume her legislative duties on the 22nd day of July, 2025,” the letter said.
The senator also reiterated her call for the National Assembly to comply with the court’s ruling, warning that she would explore all legal options should her resumption continue to be delayed.
Her suspension, handed down in March over alleged misconduct during a February 20 plenary, has been a subject of legal battle.
In a judgement delivered by Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court in Abuja, the court declared the suspension excessive and unconstitutional, stating it denied representation to the people of Kogi Central.
Although the judge did not issue a direct order compelling the Senate to reinstate her, the enrolled judgement began with the phrase “It is hereby ordered” and contained twelve substantive pronouncements, including Order 12, which stated that the Senate should recall the plaintiff.
The Senate has maintained that there is no binding directive in the judgement requiring it to recall Akpoti-Uduaghan.
However, her legal team strongly disagrees, arguing that the overall tone and structure of the ruling makemake directive mandatory.
“It is important to note that the preamble of the enrolled order begins with the words ‘IT IS HEREBY ORDERED,’ and proceeds to enumerate twelve distinct and substantive orders issued by the Court,” the legal team said.
They added that Section 287(3) of the Constitution obliges all persons and authorities, including the National Assembly, to obey court judgments.
Meanwhile, Senate president Godswill Akpabio has filed a cross-appeal at the Court of Appeal, challenging both the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court and its decision on the matter.
Akpoti-Uduaghan’s legal team insists the Senate must act in fidelity to the rule of law by facilitating her immediate return, warning of contempt proceedings should the matter continue to be delayed.
