Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central, will return to the National Assembly this month following the expiration of her six-month suspension, her lawyer has confirmed.
Her counsel, Victor Giwa, disclosed that the lawmaker is currently on vacation in London but has already made arrangements to resume plenary when the Senate reconvenes 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.
Senate Leadership Expected to Welcome Her Back
Giwa added that the Senate leadership is not expected to obstruct her return.
“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 assured.
Suspension and Controversy
Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended on March 6 after rejecting a change of her designated seat during plenary, an action the Senate described as insubordination.
The decision, based on the recommendations of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions, stripped her of office privileges, aides, and salaries.
The senator, however, maintained that her ordeal stemmed from a petition she filed accusing Senate President Godswill Akpabio of sexual harassment — an allegation the Senate dismissed.
She challenged her suspension in court, later securing a judgment she claimed favoured her recall. Nonetheless, the Senate leadership insisted she would remain suspended until the six-month penalty elapsed.
Failed Attempt to Return in July
In July, Akpoti-Uduaghan attempted to resume plenary but was barred by security operatives despite being received by a crowd of supporters outside the National Assembly.
With the expiration of the suspension last Saturday, her lawyer insisted that legal disputes would not hinder her return.
“Everything will be resolved. Even the court cases will become like an academic exercise,” Giwa said.
Efforts to get comments from Senate leadership were unsuccessful, as calls and messages to Senate spokesman Yemi Adaramodu and Akpabio’s media aide went unanswered.
