The standoff between the National Assembly and Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan escalated on Thursday as the Kogi Central lawmaker challenged the Senate’s refusal to allow her resumption, citing a pending court case as the reason for the block.
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In a letter dated September 10, 2025, addressed to the Clerk of the National Assembly (CNA), Kamorudeen Ogunlana, her lawyer, Michael Numa (SAN), demanded that the senator be allowed to resume her legislative duties by Monday, September 15, 2025. The letter warned that failure to comply would compel Akpoti-Uduaghan to take legal action against the Clerk personally and in his official capacity.
“We strongly advise that you reconsider your untenable stance and comply with the Constitution and extant judicial orders. Take notice that failure to comply by Monday, 15th September 2025, will leave us with no alternative but to initiate proceedings against you,” the counsel wrote.
The legal notice outlined potential proceedings, including committal for contempt, disciplinary action for breach of the Code of Conduct for Public Officers, liability for instigating breach of the peace with possible national security implications, and other remedies available under the law.
According to the letter, the Clerk’s refusal to process Akpoti-Uduaghan’s resumption was unjustified. The counsel described the argument that the matter was sub judice as “untenable,” warning that it amounted to an attempt to subvert the sovereign will of the electorate.
“Sections 68 and 69 of the Constitution circumscribe the limited circumstances under which a Senator’s seat may be declared vacant. Nowhere does the Constitution empower the Clerk or even the Senate to, by unilateral action, extinguish the sovereign will of the electorate,” the letter stated.
The counsel further argued that the Clerk acted ultra vires, exceeding his ministerial role, which is limited to recording, transmitting, and implementing decisions of the Senate or directives from the courts. The letter noted that no Senate resolution exists to extend Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension or impose additional sanctions for the alleged misconduct.
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