Senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has revealed why she did not return to the Senate on Tuesday as she promised.
Her decision was due to the pending fulfillment of the court’s instruction, which required her to issue a public apology in two national newspapers and on her Facebook page within seven days.
Last Friday, the Federal High Court in Abuja nullified her six-month suspension from the Senate, describing it as unlawful and a denial of representation for her constituents.
Although the ruling paved the way for her return, the court also fined her ₦5 million for contempt over a Facebook post that was deemed to have disobeyed an earlier court order.
The judge instructed her to publicly apologise as part of the judgment, but by Tuesday, the apology had not appeared in the listed platforms.
Before the resumption date, Natasha had addressed her supporters in a trending video, stating she would resume legislative duties on Tuesday.
Her statement raised expectations of a possible confrontation, especially as the Senate had not officially responded to the judgment, pending the release of the Certified True Copy.
A letter circulated online, allegedly written by the Senate’s legal representative, advised her counsel to hold off on her return until the enrolled court order was obtained.
The letter, dated July 5 and bearing the name of Senate lawyer Paul Daudu, warned of possible disorder if she resumed without clearance.
However, Daudu later denied authoring the letter, calling it fake and distancing himself from its contents.
Natasha was suspended in March after accusing Senate President Godswill Akpabio of sexual harassment during a stormy session.
