Tension flared at the National Assembly Complex on Tuesday as Senator Natasha Akpoti was reportedly denied entry by security personnel, despite a court ruling in her favour.
The Kogi Central lawmaker, who was previously suspended by the Senate for six months, had vowed to resume her legislative duties following the court’s decision ordering her reinstatement. However, her attempt to access the complex was thwarted, leading to a protest by her supporters who were present at the scene.
Eyewitnesses say the security personnel stood their ground, refusing her entry without providing any official explanation. In response, her supporters erupted into chants of protest, condemning what they described as an act of injustice and disregard for the rule of law.
Senator Akpoti, visibly undeterred, reiterated her commitment to representing her constituents and asserted that no amount of intimidation would deter her from reclaiming her mandate.
The incident has sparked public debate about the separation of powers, the authority of the judiciary, and the autonomy of the legislative arm. Many are calling for immediate clarification from the Senate leadership regarding the enforcement of the court’s ruling.
As of the time of filing this report, there has been no official statement from the National Assembly regarding the reason for the denial of entry.
