Senate has rejected Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s request to return to her legislative duties.
Acting Clerk to the National Assembly, Dr. Yahaya Danzaria, in a letter, acknowledged that Senate received the Natasha’s notice that she planned to resume on September 4, 2025, which she said marked the end of her suspension.
But the Senate pointed out that the lawmaker’s suspension, which began on March 6, 2025, will remain in force until the Court of Appeal rules on the case she filed challenging the decision.
“The matter remains sub judice, and until the judicial process is concluded, no administrative action can be taken to facilitate your resumption,” the letter stated.
Victor Giwa, Akpoti-Uduaghan’s lawyer, had on Sunday told journalists that the Kogi lawmaker would be resuming with her colleagues on September 23.
“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.
The lawyer added that the Senate leadership was prepared to welcome her back without any hindrance.
“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,” he said.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central, was suspended in March after the Senate accused her of breaching its standing orders.
While the Federal High Court in Abuja upheld the suspension, she has since taken the matter to the Court of Appeal.
The Clerk said the Senate will only review her suspension after the court delivers its judgment.
