Mr Kenny Okolugbo, an aide to the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio has provided further insight into the case involving suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.

We recalls that Akpoti-Uduaghan has made two attempts to resume plenary after months of suspension by the Senate.

She has been relying on the judgement of the Abuja Federal High Court, which she said nullified her six-month suspension by the parliament.

However, Okolugbo, has now disclosed that Akpoti-Uduaghan’s own court filings before the Appeal Court show that the judgment she is relying on to justify her return to the Senate did not nullify her suspension.

Okolugbo, in a statement he shared with our correspondent on Monday, pointed to Ground 23 of the senator’s appeal in the case Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan v. Clerk of the National Assembly & Ors, arguing that it contradicts her public claim that she was reinstated by the Federal High Court.

He said the honourable thing for Akpoti-Uduaghan was to publicly apologize over her actions rather than relying on a non-existing court judgement.

Meanwhile, the Ground 23 of the Appeal between Senator Natasha Akpoti Uduaghan Vs the Clerk of the National Assembly and three others, reads: “The learned trial judge erred in law and abdicated her judicial duty when her Ladyship after rightly adjudging the Appellant’s suspension by the 2nd Respondent for a period of six months as excessive outside the contemplation of the constitution and the enabling act, as well as ultra vires section 63 of the Constitution, failed to expressly make a clear pronouncement SET ASIDE and OR NULLIFY same accordingly”.

While analysing the appeal, Okolugbo stated that “this clearly showed that her ill intentions were premeditated when she invaded the National Assembly on the 22nd of July 2025 with street urchins, clearly a conduct capable of causing the breach of peace knowing fully well no such judgment of recalling her from suspension existed.”

He described Natasha’s actions as a media stunt and deeply irresponsible.

“There was no official communication from the court to the Senate Clerk or leadership directing her reinstatement.

“Instead, she arrived at the National Assembly with cameras and supporters in what was clearly a staged spectacle,” he said.

He criticised the senator’s action as an attempt to manipulate public opinion and incite a media frenzy.

“The Senate is not a reality show. You don’t force your way into a constitutionally regulated chamber,” he added.

Okolugbo argued that if the court had indeed ordered her recall, the Senate would have followed its internal procedures: the Clerk would notify the Senate leadership, which would then deliberate before taking a decision.

He also addressed criticism of Senate President Akpabio, saying the suspension of Natasha was not personal but based on Senate rules and the Constitution.

“It followed due process under Section 60 of the 1999 Constitution and the Standing Orders,” he said.

On the way forward, Okolugbo revealed that the Senate had included a provision for her return: “an apology for her February 20 conduct.

“All she needed to do was apologise publicly, and the suspension would have been lifted. Even the Brekete Family advised her to do so, but she refused.”

He maintained that her suspension did not affect legislative work in her Kogi Central constituency.

“Her bills, including one establishing the Federal Medical Centre in Ihima, moved forward during her absence,” he said.

Okolugbo warned that the situation could harm female political participation if left unchecked.

“Nigeria has only four female senators. When one weaponises gender and distorts the truth, it undermines real struggles and damages credibility,” he said.

He also accused some media outlets of sensationalism.

“Some journalists admitted they knew the facts but chose drama instead. We had kept quiet, but now that Ground 23 is public, it’s clear she lied,” he further stated.

Okolugbo concluded that the matter could still be resolved if Senator Natasha retracts her claims and apologises.

“But if she continues on this path, the legal process will take its full course,” he said.