Suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has vowed to escalate her legal fight to the Court of Appeal after being denied access to the National Assembly (NASS) on Tuesday, where she had intended to resume her legislative duties for Kogi Central Senatorial District, citing a recent court ruling in her favor.
Akpoti-Uduaghan arrived at the NASS complex around 12:20 p.m., accompanied by several supporters, including prominent activist Aisha Yesufu. However, security personnel barred her from entering the main building, despite her insistence that a court ruling had cleared her path to return to office.
Speaking to journalists outside the complex, a visibly frustrated Akpoti-Uduaghan accused Senate President Godswill Akpabio and the Senate leadership of acting in contempt of court.
“Akpabio cannot be greater than the Nigerian Constitution,” she said. “My legitimacy comes from the people of Kogi who voted me in. The court has ruled in my favour, and an appeal does not nullify that ruling.”
She criticized the Senate’s continued refusal to comply with the Federal High Court decision, describing it as a blatant disregard for the rule of law and a threat to democratic principles.
“The National Assembly under Akpabio has chosen to act in contempt of court. It’s ironic that those who make the laws are the first to violate them. How far have we come in our democracy?” she asked.
Akpoti-Uduaghan also questioned the legality of her suspension, calling it “fraudulent and procedurally flawed.”
“The document that suspended me was faulty from the beginning,” she said.
She confirmed that she would be consulting her legal team to challenge what she described as a “constitutional crisis,” pledging to pursue justice through lawful channels.
Meanwhile, security was visibly heightened around the NASS complex, with personnel from the police, DSS, NSCDC, and the Sergeant-at-Arms stationed at the gates. Long queues formed as vehicles were thoroughly searched, reportedly to prevent Akpoti-Uduaghan from entering the premises.
The Senate has maintained its stance, asserting that no valid court order compels it to lift her suspension at this time. Senate spokesperson Yemi Adaramodu reiterated this on Sunday, stating that Akpoti-Uduaghan’s interpretation of Justice Binta Nyako’s ruling was flawed.
“This clarification is necessary following her claims of resuming legislative duties based on a misinterpretation of the court judgment,” Adaramodu stated.
