KEY POINTS
- Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan suspension has expired after six months.
- Her lawyer says Senate leadership is ready to welcome her.
- Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan suspension linked to petition against Akpabio.
Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central, will return to the National Assembly later this month after serving out her six-month suspension.
Her lawyer, Victor Giwa, confirmed that the lawmaker is currently in London on vacation but already making arrangements to resume duties once the Senate reconvenes on September 23.
Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan suspension reaches expiry
Giwa said Akpoti-Uduaghan is prepared to resume without obstruction and stressed that even the Senate leadership has indicated readiness to welcome her back. He explained, “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.”
The lawyer added, “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.”
The Senate suspended Akpoti-Uduaghan on March 6 after it alleged insubordination because she refused to accept a change in her designated seat during plenary. The suspension, which stemmed from recommendations of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions, stripped her of aides, salaries, and office privileges.
Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan links ordeal to petition
Throughout the suspension, the senator maintained that her removal was politically motivated, tying it to her petition accusing Senate President Godswill Akpabio of sexual harassment. The Senate dismissed the allegations, but Akpoti-Uduaghan challenged her suspension in court, securing a judgment she said supported her recall.
According to Punch, her attempt to return in July led to confrontation, as security operatives blocked her entry into the chamber despite supporters rallying outside. The standoff highlighted tensions between her and the Senate leadership.
With the six-month penalty now expired, her lawyer said pending legal disputes would no longer hinder her. “Everything will be resolved. Even the court cases will become like an academic exercise,” Giwa said.
Efforts to obtain the Senate’s official reaction were unsuccessful, as calls and messages to Senate spokesman Yemi Adaramodu and Akpabio’s media aide went unanswered. For now, her return appears set to proceed without resistance.
