The National Assembly (NASS) has officially responded to Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s legal threat against the Clerk of the National Assembly, Kamorudeen Ogunlana, over his refusal to allow her to resume legislative duties after her six-month suspension ended.
In a statement signed by the Director of Information, Bullah Bi-Allah, the Assembly restated that the authority to decide Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s return lies exclusively with the Senate, not the Office of the Clerk. The Senate suspended her on 6 March 2025 over allegations of gross misconduct. Her suspension was for six months, which has since lapsed, but no binding court order has been issued to reverse or modify that resolution.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan had communicated her intention to resume duties via a letter to the Clerk on 4 September 2025, but the Clerk’s office forwarded the request to the Senate leadership, which indicated that the matter remains sub judice — i.e., it is before the Court of Appeal, hence any decision at this time must await either a fresh resolution by the Senate or a binding court ruling.
Her lawyer, Michael Numa (SAN), in a letter dated 10 September, demanded that she be allowed to return without obstruction, warning that failure to comply by 15 September 2025 would lead to legal action, including claims of constitutional breach, contempt of court, and others.
Meanwhile, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan and civil society groups, including the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), have condemned the continued barring of her from duties. The NLC in particular has warned of mobilisation if she is prevented from resuming despite the lapse of her suspension and absence of a court order prolonging it.
