The Nigerian Senate says it cannot immediately reinstate Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan despite a court ruling in her favor, citing the need to thoroughly review the Certified True Copy (CTC) of the judgement before taking any action.
Senator Yemi Adaramodu, spokesperson of the upper chamber and Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, made the clarification during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Abuja.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended by the Senate on March 6 for six months following allegations of sexual harassment she made against Senate President Godswill Akpabio. The suspension was based on a recommendation from the Senate Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct, and Public Petitions, chaired by Senator Neda Imasuen (APC, Edo South).
As part of the disciplinary measures, Akpoti-Uduaghan lost access to the National Assembly premises, had her salary suspended, and was stripped of her security detail.
Following her suspension, Akpoti-Uduaghan filed a legal suit at the Federal High Court in Abuja. In a ruling delivered last week, Justice Binta Nyako ordered the Senate to recall her. However, the court also fined the senator N5 million for contempt.
Despite the ruling, Senator Adaramodu stressed that the Senate must first receive and analyze the official court judgement before acting.
“We applied for the CTC on Monday and are still expecting it,” he explained. “Once we have it, the Senate will sit, review the content, and then take an informed decision.”
He cautioned against public pressure or misinformation, noting that many people criticizing the Senate lack a proper understanding of how legislative processes work.
“Some Nigerians think the National Assembly should act without rules, but that’s a recipe for chaos,” Adaramodu said. “We have Standing Orders to maintain order and discipline, and those rules are constitutionally backed.”
Referencing the recent judgement, he added, “The court affirmed that the Senate has the power to make and enforce its own rules. Reprimanding a senator falls within that power.”
Adaramodu also clarified that the 180-day suspension included non-legislative days, in line with Senate procedures.
He emphasized that only those familiar with legislative operations can fully appreciate the internal processes guiding disciplinary measures, including suspensions.
“The Senate is not lawless,” he said. “It functions on structure, order, and decorum—and those who break the rules must face consequences.”
