The National Assembly has prevented Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central Senatorial District, from resuming her legislative duties, maintaining that her suspension is still a matter before the courts.
The embattled lawmaker, who had fallen out of favour with the Senate President, Mr Godswill Akpabio, had been suspended for six months earlier this year. She had accused the Senate President of gross misconduct after a seating arrangement altercation.
Upon the completion of the suspension, Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan had written a letter (dated August 28) to the Clerk of 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.
Mrs 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, explaining 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.
However, in a reply dated September 4, 2025, Mr Yahaya Danzaria, who is serving as the Acting Clerk to the National Assembly, formally rejected her request.
Mr Danzaria explained that Mrs 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.