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| Senators in session at the Abuja chamber |
Senate spokesman Yemi Adaramodu says the chamber respects courts. But he notes the ruling did not strip the Senate of its power to punish members . He adds the court told Natasha to make restitution first.
Restitution covers costs the Senate claimed she caused. Adaramodu says once she hands in proof, senators will reconvene. They will then decide her fate .
Natasha won her seat in Kogi Central in 2023. She shook the floor with bold speeches. In February she accused Senate President Godswill Akpabio of assault. He denied it .
She also faced ethics charges for speaking out of turn. The ethics committee found procedural breaches. It voted for six months off the floor .
Legal experts say the Senate broke its own rules. Order 67(4) limits a suspension to 14 days . Lawyers called the six-month ban illegal and harsh.
Natasha went to court on March 4. She asked for her letter of suspension to be voided. Justice Nyako granted five reliefs, including that any action during the suit was null .
The Senate then asked the court to vacate that order. On March 19, Justice Obiora Egwuatu did so. He said the suit lacked merit in parts and set aside the earlier ruling .
Natasha’s team pressed on. They cited past cases where courts topped long suspensions. They pointed to similar wins for lawmakers in other states .
Senate President Akpabio’s lawyers argued the court had no power over internal rules. They said only the Senate can manage its own house .
On May 13, the court fixed June 27 for final judgment. Then, one day before, it moved the date to July 4. That is when Justice Nyako struck down the ban .
Now the Senate must weigh two aims. It must guard its rules. It must also not defy a court order. Adaramodu insists the chamber can do both .
Inside the Senate, views split. Some senators say quick return is needed. Kogi Central lacks voice. Others worry setting a weak example hurts order.
Rights groups back Natasha. They call her suspension sexist. They see bias in the ethics probe into her harassment claim .
Law professors urge clear steps. Prof. Uche Chinweizu says the Senate should publish its restitution process. That builds trust in courts and lawmakers.
Civic groups want the Senate to review its discipline rules. They argue limits should match past practice. They say lawmakers must face fair, short bans.
Voters in Kogi Central feel lost. Ibrahim Bello fears rule chaos if senators ignore guidelines. Eunice Adeyemi wants her senator back at work.
This clash marks a key test of Nigeria’s rule of law. It shows how courts and legislature share power. It may set precedents for future cases.