The National Assembly has informed Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central, that she cannot resume office despite completing her six-month suspension. In a letter dated September 4, 2025, the Acting Clerk to the National Assembly, Dr. Yahaya Danzaria, acknowledged Akpoti-Uduaghan’s notification of her intended return, but stated that her suspension remains in force pending the outcome of a Court of Appeal case.
The Senate’s decision is based on the fact that the matter is still subjudice, and no administrative action can be taken until the Court of Appeal delivers a verdict. The suspension, which took effect on March 6, 2025, was imposed following allegations of insubordination after Akpoti-Uduaghan rejected a change of her designated seat during plenary. The Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions had recommended the suspension, which also stripped her of aides, office privileges, and salaries.
Akpoti-Uduaghan has consistently argued that her suspension is linked to her petition accusing Senate President Godswill Akpabio of sexual harassment, a claim the Senate dismissed. She later challenged her suspension in court, securing a judgment she claimed favoured her recall. However, her attempt to force her way back into the National Assembly in July ended in a standoff, as security operatives barred her entry despite a crowd of supporters rallying outside.
The Senate has stated that it will only review Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension after the court’s pronouncement. The ongoing court case has significant implications for the senator’s future in the National Assembly, and the outcome will likely determine whether she can resume her duties as a representative of Kogi Central. As the judicial process continues, Akpoti-Uduaghan remains suspended, and her return to office remains uncertain. The National Assembly’s decision to await the court’s verdict highlights the importance of respecting the judicial process and allowing the legal system to run its course.
