The Senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has threatened to sue the Clerk to the National Assembly (CNA), Kamorudeen Ogunlana, “if she is not allowed to resume legislative duties by Monday.”
In a letter from her lawyer, Michael Numa (SAN), dated September 10, the senator demanded that she be permitted to resume without obstruction, warning that “failure to comply by Monday, 15th September 2025, will leave us with no alternative but to initiate proceedings against you personally and in your official capacity.”
The lawyer said such a suit would focus on the clerk’s alleged refusal to obey a court judgment and a breach of the Code of Conduct for Public Officers.
Read Also: Gambian Lawmaker Writes Akpabio, Demands Reinstatement Of Senator Natasha
The letter states that “Such proceedings will include, but are not limited to: Committal for contempt; Disciplinary action for breach of the Code of Conduct for Public Officers; Liability for instigating breach of the peace with potential implications for national security; and any other remedies available to our client under the law.”
The lawyer advised the clerk to “reconsider” his “untenable stance and comply with the Constitution and extant judicial orders.”
The threat came after the Acting Clerk, Yahaya Danzaria, informed the senator that she could not resume “because the matter of her suspension is in court, and that her return can only follow a Senate review or the conclusion of the judicial process.”
The Senate may block her resumption on the grounds that the matter is “sub judice.”
In her counsel’s letter, it was argued that the Clerk “exceeded his constitutional authority.”
The letter stated, “As Clerk of the National Assembly, you are not an elected member of the Senate. Your functions are purely ministerial: to record, transmit, and implement decisions duly made by the Senate or directed by the courts. To the best of our client’s knowledge, no Senate resolution exists extending our client’s suspension or imposing any new sanction for the same alleged misconduct. Your letter fails to disclose on whose directive you purported to act. By assuming powers you do not possess, you have acted ultra vires, and placed both yourself personally and your office in contempt of the Constitution and binding judicial orders.”
Read Also: Why We Won’t Entertain Natasha’s Case Further Within The Chamber – Senate
This legal action follows a July ruling by a Federal High Court judge, Binta Nyako, who ruled in favor of the senator but did not order her reinstatement, instead issuing an “advisory opinion” urging the Senate to reconsider.
In a separate ruling, the court found Mrs. Akpoti-Uduaghan guilty of “civil contempt” and fined her N5 million for a satirical social media post.
Dissatisfied with the ruling, Senate President Godswill Akpabio filed a cross-appeal arguing “that the Federal High Court erred in law and exceeded its powers by intervening in the Senate’s internal disciplinary process.”
The appeal raises “11 grounds” and contends that the court lacked jurisdiction and that Mrs. Akpoti-Uduaghan “failed to exhaust internal dispute resolution mechanisms provided under the Senate Standing Orders before seeking judicial intervention, rendering her suit premature.”
Join Informant Online WhatsApp Channel With Link Below: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaihFajBadmT29ufud2
To Publish Articles, News, Place Advert, Contact Informant Online With Email Link Below: informantonline.com.ng@gmail.com
