The National Assembly has prevented Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central, from resuming her legislative duties, maintaining that her suspension is still a matter before the courts.
In a letter dated August 28, 2025, Akpoti-Uduaghan had written to the Clerk to the National Assembly, notifying him of her intention to resume on September 4, a date she said marked the end of her six-month suspension.
The senator reminded the leadership that the Federal High Court in July had described her suspension as “excessive and unconstitutional” and ordered her recall.
“I write to formally notify you on my decision to resume my legislative function upon the expiration of the suspension period,” she stated in her letter.
Akpoti-Uduaghan stressed that the expiration entitled her to return to her “full duties as a distinguished senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria” and argued that this did not prejudice the ongoing appeals filed at the Court of Appeal.
She also demanded immediate access to her office at the Senate, citing constitutional obligations and the necessity to prepare adequately for plenary sittings. She explained that resumption was critical in order to review pending legislative business, catch up on committee assignments, attend to constituency issues, and prepare for parliamentary sessions.
But in a reply dated September 4, 2025, Yahaya Danzaria, Acting Clerk to the National Assembly, formally rejected her request.
Danzaria explained that Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension, which took effect from March 6, remained a matter under judicial consideration and had not yet been concluded.
“The matter therefore remains sub judice, 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 clerk wrote.
He assured her that she would be duly informed of the Senate’s decision once the matter is resolved.
Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension followed a heated confrontation in the chamber on March 6, when she was accused of gross misconduct after a seating arrangement altercation with Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
Boluwatife Enome
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