The Office of the Clerk to the National Assembly has revealed who can decide the fate of suspended Kogi Central lawmaker, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan
Legit recalls that the Nigerian Senate suspended Akpoti-Uduaghan on March 6, 2025, following a resolution that barred her from parliamentary activities for six months.
Speaking on behalf of the Clerk’s office, Mullah Bi-Allah said: “The Clerk does not possess the authority to review, reverse or interpret Senate decisions.”
The National Assembly clerk said it is only the senate that can determine if Akpoti-Uduaghan can resume legislative duties.
The Director of Information, Mullah Bi-Allah, distanced the NA clerk from reports suggesting it has the power to determine Akpoti-Uduaghan’s fate
Mullah Bi-Allah clarified that the Clerk’s office merely functions as an administrative arm of the legislature and cannot review or overturn resolutions of the Senate.
As reported by The Punch, Mullah Bi-Allah made this known in a statement issued on Monday, September 15, 2025, in Abuja.
Speaking on behalf of the Clerk’s office, Mullah Bi-Allah said: “The Clerk does not possess the authority to review, reverse or interpret Senate decisions.”
He further stated that: “It must be emphasised that the determination of whether Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan can resume her legislative duties as of right without any further or fresh resolution of the Senate following the expiration of her six months suspension lies solely with the Senate and not with the office of the Clerk to the National Assembly.”
Recall that the Senate was ordered to immediately recall suspended Kogi Central senator, Natasha Akpoti Uduaghan, from her six-month suspension.
Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court in Abuja held that the six-month suspension was excessive on the part of the Senate.
According to the ruling, Senate President Godswill Akpabio has the right to sanction any member who errs, but the sanction must not be excessive to the extent of denying constituents the right to be represented.
