Natasha to Submit Apology Letter as Senate Softens Stance After Court Ruling

Natasha to Submit Apology Letter as Senate Softens Stance After Court Ruling

Abuja, Nigeria | July 7, 2025 – IDNN Legal Affairs Desk

Suspended Kogi Central Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan is preparing to submit a formal letter of apology to the Nigerian Senate this week, following a Federal High Court ruling that found her guilty of contempt for violating an interim gag order.

The apology—mandated as part of a ₦5 million contempt sanction—is a key condition for her potential reinstatement after the court earlier ruled her 6-month suspension “unconstitutional and excessive.”

“Senator Natasha has instructed her lawyers to submit the required apology letter and make payment within the 7-day deadline,” a source close to her legal team told IDNN.

Court: Guilt for Mock Apology Post

Justice Binta Nyako had ruled that Senator Natasha’s April 2025 Facebook post—a satirical “apology” targeting Senate President Godswill Akpabio—constituted a violation of an interim court order barring parties from making public statements on the case.

“Whether satirical or not, the post breached court instructions,” the judge said.
“Contempt must not be taken lightly.”

The court imposed a fine of ₦5 million and directed the senator to publish an actual apology in two national newspapers and on Facebook.

Senate Signals Shift

Meanwhile, the Senate appears to be softening its earlier stance. Senate spokesperson Yemi Adaramodu, who previously declared that Natasha’s reinstatement was “not automatic,” has now confirmed that the matter is “under active review.”

“Once the apology is received and verified, the Senate will meet to deliberate,” he told IDNN.
“We are guided by due process.”

Natasha was suspended in March 2025 for accusing Akpabio of abuse of office and misconduct. The move was widely condemned by civil society groups and opposition senators as politically motivated and gender-biased.

Public Reactions: Vindication or Capitulation?

While some supporters hail the apology as a strategic move to reclaim her seat, critics accuse the Senate of coercing a woman who stood up to institutional power.

Former presidential aspirant Kingsley Moghalu tweeted:

“It’s a shame. The price of speaking truth in Nigeria is humiliation. Still, Natasha stands tall.”

Meanwhile, Atiku Abubakar hailed the entire process as a sign of the judiciary’s power to check legislative excess.

What Happens Next

If the apology is accepted, a Senate session could vote on reinstating Natasha before the chamber’s next recess. IDNN has learned that at least 30 senators are backing her return, including several APC moderates.

Should she return, Natasha is expected to continue her advocacy on women’s rights, transparency, and legislative reform—but with a sharper sense of political survival.

IDNN VERDICT:
From courtroom to chamber, Natasha’s saga is shaping Nigeria’s democratic maturity. Her apology may open the door—but what she does next could reshape the rules of political resistance.

📡 Follow IDNN Senate Watch and Justice Desk for reinstatement updates, legal fallout, and the evolving power dynamics in the National Assembly.