Counsel to Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representative of Kogi Central Senatorial District, has formally confirmed that the lawmaker will resume her parliamentary duties upon the reconvening of the Senate on September 23, 2025, following the expiration of her six-month suspension.
In a statement to The PUNCH in Abuja, her legal representative, Mr. Victor Giwa, disclosed that Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, who is currently on vacation in London, has already finalized arrangements for her return to plenary.
“Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan is fully prepared to resume her legislative responsibilities. She is presently in London, but all modalities for her resumption are in place, as the six-month suspension has lapsed. The only matter outstanding is her formal re-entry into plenary,” Giwa stated.
He further clarified that no institutional barriers are anticipated in respect of her return, noting that the Senate leadership has indicated readiness to receive her back into the chamber.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended on March 6, 2025, pursuant to the recommendations of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions, following allegations of insubordination relating to her refusal to accept a reassignment of her designated seat during plenary.
The suspension carried with it the withdrawal of aides, office entitlements, and remuneration. The Senator, however, has maintained that the disciplinary action was in retaliation for her petition against the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, wherein she alleged sexual harassment—a claim which the Senate has officially dismissed.
Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (Kogi Central), who was suspended by the Senate on March 6, has reiterated her readiness to resume legislative duties following the expiration of her six-month suspension, notwithstanding pending litigation over the matter.
The lawmaker had previously challenged her suspension in court, securing a judgment which she interpreted as affirming her recall. However, the Senate leadership maintained that the penalty would run its full course.
In July, her attempt to re-enter the National Assembly ahead of the expiration date led to a standoff, with security personnel preventing her access despite the presence of a crowd of supporters gathered in solidarity.
Speaking on Saturday, her counsel, Mr. Victor Giwa, emphasized that no legal or procedural impediments remain to obstruct her return to plenary.
“With the suspension period now fully elapsed, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan is entitled to resume her legislative functions. Any outstanding court processes will be overtaken by events and reduced to an academic exercise,” Giwa asserted.
Efforts to obtain comments from Senate leadership proved unsuccessful, as calls and messages directed to the Senate spokesman, Yemi Adaramodu, and the media aide to Senate President Godswill Akpabio, were not returned as of press time.#newsafro_
