Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s attempt to return to the Senate on Tuesday sparked legal and political drama, as questions continue to swirl around the interpretation of a recent court ruling concerning her six-month suspension.
The Kogi Central lawmaker, suspended in March over alleged misconduct, had approached the Federal High Court seeking to overturn what she described as an unconstitutional sanction.
Following a ruling delivered weeks ago, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan claimed the judgment cleared her for immediate resumption.
However, her attempt to re-enter the National Assembly was blocked by security officials, despite arriving with a group of supporters.
While many assumed the court ruling had ordered her reinstatement, legal practitioner Ekemini Udim offered a contrasting view during an interview.
According to him, the court did not issue a direct order mandating her recall.
“What the judge said was, ‘You cannot do like this, you cannot do like that,’ and then makes a recommendation to the Senate,” Udim explained. “You cannot equate that to say, ‘Recall Senator Natasha.’”
He cautioned against viewing the case through an emotional lens, emphasising that legal clarity must guide interpretations of the court’s decision.
“A lot of people are taking this matter from the emotional angle, and it becomes a problem when you do that. This must be taken from the angle of law,” he added.
