Natasha’s Lawyers Write Clerk, Demand Return To Senate

The ineligible squad representing Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has responded to the Clerk of the National Assembly, demanding the contiguous reinstatement of their lawsuit pursuing the expiration of her six-month suspension from the Senate.

In a missive dated September 10, 2025, addressed to the Clerk, pb counsel Michael Numa described the continued denial of Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s close to resume her legislative duties arsenic a “grave law breach” and a “politically motivated subversion of the sovereign volition of the people.”

The lawyers accused the Clerk of acting ultra vires, claiming that his refusal to facilitate the senator’s resumption amounts to contempt of tribunal and willful defiance of binding judicial orders.

Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central Senatorial District, was suspended by the Senate connected March 6, 2025, pursuing a arguable disciplinary process initiated by the Senate Committee connected Ethics, Privileges, and Code of Conduct.

However, successful a judgement delivered connected July 4, 2025, Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court declared the suspension unlawful, excessive, and unconstitutional, ordering the Senate to let the legislator to resume her duties.

“Despite the tribunal ruling, the National Assembly, done the Clerk’s office, has refused to reinstate her,” helium said.

In a missive dated September 4, 2025, the Clerk cited the rule of sub judice—arguing that her lawsuit remains pending and truthful nary administrative enactment could beryllium taken.

In their response, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s counsel dismissed the Clerk’s reliance connected the sub judice regularisation arsenic “misguided” and a misapplication of ineligible doctrine intended to hold justness and suppress a duly elected lawmaker’s mandate.

“The doctrine is, astatine best, a self-imposed restraint connected parliamentary statement concerning matters earlier the courts,” the missive stated. “It has ne'er been — and cannot beryllium — a lawful ground to contradict administrative compliance with judicial orders oregon frustrate the workout of law rights.”

The lawyers further argued that the six-month suspension expired connected September 6, 2025, and that nary ineligible oregon Senate solution had extended the disciplinary action.

Therefore, they assertion that the Senate and the Clerk’s bureau person nary lawful grounds to forestall her resumption.

The ineligible squad besides accused the National Assembly enactment of a signifier of judicial defiance, citing 3 large incidents: “March 4, 2025 – A Federal High Court bid restrained the Senate from disciplining Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, but the Senate proceeded with the suspension 2 days later.

“July 4, 2025 – The tribunal declared the suspension amerciable and ordered reinstatement, but the Clerk’s bureau failed to act.

“September 4, 2025 – The Clerk issued a missive justifying continued suspension without immoderate Senate solution oregon judicial backing.

The missive added: “By assuming powers you bash not possess, you person acted ultra vires and placed some yourself personally and your bureau successful contempt of the Constitution and binding judicial orders.”

Numa further issued an ultimatum, demanding that the Clerk facilitate Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s resumption connected oregon earlier Monday, September 15, 2025, informing that nonaccomplishment to comply would effect successful ineligible proceedings against the Clerk successful some his authoritative and idiosyncratic capacity.