The National Assembly claims that even though Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, the senator for Kogi Central, has served out her six-month ban, she is still unable to return to work.
The Senate confirmed Akpoti-Uduaghan’s notification of her intended return on September 4, 2025, the date she claimed her suspension ended, in a letter signed by Dr. Yahaya Danzaria, Acting Clerk to the National Assembly.
According to the upper house, her six-month suspension is still in effect while Akpoti-Uduaghan’s Court of Appeal petition against the Senate is being heard.
Since her suspension went into force on March 6, 2025, and the case is still pending, it maintained that no administrative action could be conducted until the Court of Appeal rendered a decision.
“The matter remains sub judice, and until the judicial process is concluded, no administrative action can be taken to facilitate your resumption,” part of the letter stated.
The letter stated that the Senate would only consider her suspension following the court’s ruling.
Danzaria said, “The matter remains sub judice, and until the judicial process is concluded, no administrative action can be taken to facilitate your resumption.”
On March 6, Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended on charges of insubordination for refusing to move from her assigned seat during plenary.
The Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions recommended the suspension, which also cost her salary, office privileges, and aides.
The member had often maintained that her trauma was related to her petition, which the Senate rejected, charging Senate President Godswill Akpabio of sexual harassment.
She later challenged her suspension in court, securing a judgment she said supported her recall.
When a group of supporters gathered outside the National Assembly in July, security personnel denied her admission, resulting in a confrontation during her attempt to re-enter the building.
