The National Assembly has formally declined Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s request to resume her legislative duties, despite her completion of a six-month suspension over alleged misconduct.
In a letter signed by the Acting Clerk to the National Assembly, Dr. Yahaya Danzaria, and addressed to the embattled lawmaker on September 4, 2025, the Parliament insisted that her suspension remains in force pending the outcome of the matter currently before the Court of Appeal.
According to the National Assembly, Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension took effect from March 6, 2025, and the matter is still subjudice, hence she cannot resume legislative duties. “The matter, therefore, remains subjudice, and until the judicial process is concluded and the Senate formally reviews the suspension in the light of the court’s pronouncement, no administrative action can be taken by this office to facilitate your resumption,” the letter read.
The Senate had suspended Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central, in March 2025 over alleged misconduct following a spat with Senate President Godswill Akpabio over seating arrangement during plenary. Akpoti-Uduaghan had accused Akpabio of sexual harassment, which she claims led to the politically motivated disciplinary action.
Despite completing her six-month suspension, the National Assembly bureaucracy maintains that her return to the Senate will only be considered after the Court of Appeal delivers its verdict on the matter.Akpoti-Uduaghan’s lawyer, Victor Giwa, had earlier confirmed that his client is set to return to the Senate on September 23, following the completion of her suspension.
Giwa stated that administrative and security arrangements have been finalized for her return, adding that “everything will be resolved. Even the court cases will become like an academic exercise”. However, the Senate insists that no administrative action can be taken until the Court of Appeal finally delivers a verdict on the matter.
