The hope of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan returning to the Red Chamber after a six-month suspension has hit a roadblock, as the Senate has formally declined her request to resume legislative duties.
In a letter signed by Yahaya Danzaria, acting on behalf of the Clerk to the National Assembly, the Senate maintained that her suspension, which began on March 6, 2025, remains in force until the Court of Appeal rules on the case she filed challenging the decision.
The Senate acknowledged Akpoti-Uduaghan’s notification of her intended return on September 4, 2025, the date she claimed marked the end of her suspension.
However, the Senate clarified that her suspension took effect on March 6, 2025, and emphasised that the matter is still sub judice (under judicial consideration).
The Senate insists that no administrative action can be taken until the Court of Appeal delivers a verdict.
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“The matter remains sub judice, and until the judicial process is concluded, no administrative action can be taken to facilitate your resumption,” the letter read in part.
On Sunday, Victor Giwa, Akpoti-Uduaghan’s lawyer, had told journalists that the Kogi lawmaker would be resuming with her colleagues on September 23.
“Actually, she’s ready to resume her term. She’s in London. Everything is in place, and the six months have expired. The only thing left is her resumption,” Giwa said. He added that the Senate leadership was prepared to welcome her back without any hindrance.
“We have been told that even the leadership of the Senate is ready to welcome her. So that’s the situation at the moment. There is no obstacle at all,” he said.
Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central, was suspended in March 2025 following a Senate resolution.
Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension stemmed from a March 6 decision of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions, which accused her of insubordination after she resisted a change of her designated seat during plenary. The sanctions also stripped her of aides, office privileges, and salaries.
She, however, maintained that the suspension was politically motivated, linking it to a petition she filed against Senate President Godswill Akpabio, alleging sexual harassment.
In a ruling, Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court held that the provisions of Chapter 8 of the Senate Rules and Section 14(2) of the Legislative Houses (Powers and Privileges) Act, which permit indefinite suspension of members, were inconsistent with the Constitution. The judge ruled that while the Senate could suspend members, such action could not last beyond a legislative session.
But in the same judgment, Akpoti-Uduaghan was found in contempt of court for a Facebook post that breached an earlier gag order barring public commentary on the case. She was fined ₦5 million and ordered to publish apologies on social media and in two national dailies. Dissatisfied, she appealed the fine at the Court of Appeal.
Senate President Akpabio also filed an appeal against the ruling, seeking to overturn the portion of the judgment that voided the Senate’s power to impose suspensions beyond its rules.
Matters came to a head in July when Akpoti-Uduaghan attempted to enforce the court’s ruling by storming the National Assembly, flanked by a large crowd of supporters. However, security operatives blocked her entry, leading to a standoff at the gates.
Senate leadership insisted she would remain suspended until the six-month period elapsed or the appellate court delivered a final decision.
With her suspension now expired, her lawyer insists she should be allowed to resume, but the Senate’s latest position signals that her return may depend more on the outcome of the pending appeals than on the calendar.
