By James Adamu in Abuja
Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, the lawmaker representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, has formally written to the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), requesting the immediate restoration of her security detail ahead of her scheduled return to the Senate today, 22nd July 2025.
The request follows a Federal High Court judgment delivered on 21st July 2025, which declared her earlier suspension from the Senate unlawful.
In a letter addressed to the IGP and obtained by this publication, the senator cited “security concerns surrounding high-profile political matters” as the basis for her appeal for police protection.
The legal battle stemmed from her suspension, which she challenged in court via Suit No: FHC/ABI/CS/543/2024. The court ruled in her favour, describing the suspension as “excessive and unjust”, and directed the Senate to allow her to resume her legislative duties.
In her letter, Akpoti-Uduaghan attached a Certified True Copy (CTC) of the judgmen and informed the police chief of her planned resumption, stating:
“In compliance with the judgment, I am scheduled to resume legislative duties at the National Assembly on Tuesday, 22nd July 2025.”
She further emphasised the necessity of security protection, writing: “In light of the security challenges that often accompany high-profile political matters and the need for adequate protection in the course of my official duties, I respectfully request the immediate restoration of my official security detail.”
The senator’s request highlights the volatile nature of Nigerian politics, where disputes over legislative seats and political rivalries often escalate into safety concerns. Akpoti-Uduaghan, a vocal figure in the Senate, has previously been at the centre of political tensions, particularly in her home state of Kogi.
Her letter stressed that the restoration of police security was “crucial to ensure my safety as I resume work and continue to carry out my constitutional responsibilities without hindrance.”
The Nigerian Senate on Sunday issued a stern warning to the suspended lawmaker representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, to stay away from its proceedings, saying she could not resume proceedings yet.
The spokesman for the Senate, Yemi Adaramodu, in a statement on Sunday, insisted that there was no subsisting court order mandating the Senate to recall the lawmaker before the expiration of her suspension.
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