On Thursday, efforts to have the lawmaker representing Kogi Central senatorial district, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, remanded by a High Court sitting in Abuja collapsed to the chagrin of her detractors who are bent on seeing her behind bars.
Justice Chizoba Orji dismissed the Federal Government’s application seeking to remand Senator Natasha in prison custody, pending the determination of a criminal case against her.
The court ruled that there was no sufficient reason to deny her bail, noting there was clear evidence that the lawmaker was ready to face trial.
The court, subsequently, granted the defendant bail and instructed to produce one surety who owns a landed property in Abuja beside the N50 million bail.
However, political analysts believe the real battle lies ahead on June 27 when the Abuja Federal High Court is expected to rule on her controversial six-month suspension from the Senate.
There are growing indications that the ultimate aim of her adversaries is to erase her presence from the National Assembly entirely. Multiple failed attempts point to a consistent pattern of desperation.
First, there was the rush on the illegal recall process, reportedly costing billions of Naira. Locals were deceived into signing recall documents, which the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) later rejected for not meeting constitutional requirements.
Next came attempts to entangle her with multiple legal charges. The Federal Government was dragged into the case and filed criminal charges at the Federal High Court in Abuja under CHARGE NO: FHC/ABJ/CR/195/2025 – Federal Republic of Nigeria vs. Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan. However, this arraignment is scheduled for June 30—after the court ruling on her suspension.
Unsatisfied with the timing, her detractors swiftly filed a separate case through the same Federal Government. A fresh charge, CHARGE NO: FCT/CR/297/2025—was brought against her at the Abuja High Court on 19th June. Once again, Senator Natasha was granted bail and her detractors failed to achieve their ultimate goal.
This sequence of events paints a clear picture: there is a coordinated effort to ensure she is jailed before the June 27 suspension ruling. But with both attempts now failed, attention shifts to the judiciary to determine whether her six-month suspension—widely regarded as illegal—will be overturned.
In a desperate attempt to further delay the Federal High Court’s ruling on her suspension, it is worth recalling that the first judge assigned to the case, Justice Obiora Egwuatu, recused himself after a petition from Senate President Godswill Akpabio was submitted to the NJC and DSS, alleging bias. The case was subsequently reassigned to Justice Binta Nyako, who fixed judgment for June 27, 2025, in the suit filed by Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan
Her political opponents know what’s at stake. Precedents have shown the judiciary has a well-documented history of reversing similar suspensions deemed unconstitutional.
In 2017, Senator Ali Ndume was suspended for 90 legislative days. A Federal High Court in Abuja ruled the action illegal and ordered his reinstatement.
In 2018, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege faced a similar fate after accusing colleagues of working against then President Buhari’s re-election. The court also declared his suspension illegal.
Likewise, in 2016, Hon. Abdulmumin Jibrin was suspended for 180 days after accusing the leadership of the House of Representatives of alleged budget padding. The Federal High Court not only nullified his suspension but also ordered the payment of his withheld salaries and allowances.
These precedents are why Senator Natasha’s enemies fear the outcome of the June 27 ruling. They are aware that her suspension lacks legal standing—and should the court follow past rulings, she will be reinstated.
Their goal appears to keep her away from the Senate chamber by any means before that verdict. But they have failed again.
Concerned Nigerians are urging the judiciary to uphold justice and protect the sanctity of the law. They call for a ruling that not only reinstates Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan but also sends a strong message, no Nigerian woman—should be silenced for speaking out against abuse, corruption, or sexual harassment.
– Isah Bala writes from Kogi Central.
