Natasha Heads to Court After Senate Blocks Entry, Faults Akpabio

Suspended Senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has vowed to take legal action against the Senate leadership after she was denied access to the National Assembly complex on Tuesday, despite a court ruling ordering her reinstatement.

Speaking to journalists, a visibly upset Akpoti-Uduaghan described the blockade as a violation of a valid court judgment. “Even the suspension ab initio was fraudulent—it was faulty,” she said.

She accused Senate President Godswill Akpabio of acting in contempt of court, emphasizing that her legitimacy as a senator comes from the people of Kogi who elected her—not from the Senate leadership.

“The fact that he [Akpabio] has gone on appeal does not invalidate Justice Binta Nyako’s ruling. That judgment still stands and confirms my status as senator,” she asserted.

Akpoti-Uduaghan said she is meeting with her legal team to seek redress at the appellate court and emphasized that the Senate’s refusal to obey the ruling raises serious questions about Nigeria’s democratic principles.

“It’s on record now: the National Assembly under Akpabio has chosen to defy a court order. And that’s ironic for a law-making institution,” she said.