The National Assembly of Nigeria has rejected a request by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan to resume her legislative duties. In a letter to the Senate, Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan had indicated her intention to return on September 4, 2025, citing the end of her six-month suspension. However, the Senate has clarified that her suspension, which took effect on March 6, 2025, remains in force pending the outcome of a Court of Appeal case she instituted against the Senate.
The Senate’s decision was communicated in a letter signed by Dr. Yahaya Danzaria, Acting Clerk to the National Assembly. The letter emphasized that the matter is still under judicial consideration and that no administrative action can be taken until the Court of Appeal delivers a verdict. The Senate’s stance is that the suspension will continue until the judicial process is concluded.
Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended in March 2025 following allegations of insubordination after she rejected a change of her designated seat during plenary. The suspension, which was based on the recommendations of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions, also resulted in the withdrawal of her aides, office privileges, and salaries. The lawmaker had previously argued that her suspension was linked to a petition she filed against Senate President Godswill Akpabio, accusing him of sexual harassment. The Senate had dismissed the claim.
The Court of Appeal case instituted by Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan is currently pending, and the Senate’s decision to uphold her suspension until the case is resolved suggests that the matter is far from over. The Senate’s insistence that it cannot take administrative action while the matter is under judicial consideration highlights the complexities of the issue. As the case progresses, it is likely that the situation will continue to unfold, with potential implications for the Senate and its members. For now, Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan’s bid to resume her legislative duties has been put on hold, pending the outcome of the court case.
