Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central, is expected to resume legislative duties at the National Assembly later this month after completing her six-month suspension.
Her lawyer, Victor Giwa, confirmed that the senator, who is currently in London, has finalized plans to return once plenary sessions resume on September 23, 2025.
“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
According to her counsel, there are no anticipated barriers to her reinstatement.
“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,” Giwa assured.
Background: Why Natasha Was Suspended
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended on March 6, 2025, after being accused of insubordination when she rejected a reassignment of her designated seat during plenary.
The suspension, based on recommendations from the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions, also stripped her of aides, office privileges, and salaries.
She consistently maintained that her suspension was politically motivated, linking it to her earlier petition accusing Senate President Godswill Akpabio of sexual harassment — an allegation the Senate dismissed.
Legal Battles and Attempts at Early Return
Following her suspension, the Kogi Central lawmaker challenged the Senate in court and claimed to have secured a judgment favoring her recall. However, Senate leadership insisted she would remain suspended until the six-month term elapsed.
In July, she attempted to return to the National Assembly but was barred by security operatives, despite a crowd of supporters rallying for her reinstatement.
What Next for Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan?
With the suspension now officially over, her lawyer emphasized that pending legal disputes would not affect her return.
“Everything will be resolved. Even the court cases will become like an academic exercise,” Giwa noted.
Efforts to get comments from Senate spokesman Yemi Adaramodu and Senate President Akpabio’s media aide were unsuccessful at the time of filing this report.
