The suspended Kogi Central Senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has returned to her office in the National Assembly.
There was mild drama at the National Assembly complex on Tuesday following Natasha’s arrival.
The lawmaker, dressed in black, arrived at about 2:30 pm in the company of her supporters, shortly after the Sergeant-at-Arms announced the reopening of her office, which had been sealed for months.
However, her entry was initially resisted by some security operatives who prevented her from accessing the main building.
The Senate is currently on recess and is expected to resume plenary on October 7, 2025.
The unsealing of Natasha’s office is an indication that the suspended lawmaker may soon resume her official duties as a senator as lawmakers prepares to resume plenary on October 7, 2025.
Natasha had made an allegation of sexual harassment against the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio.
The office had remained locked for six months, following Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension by the Senate in March over alleged violations of its standing rules.
Her suspension had sparked widespread reactions, with many, particularly civil society organisations and opposition politicians, condemning the Senate’s action.
She approached the court in July over the matter and made an unsuccessful attempt to resume sitting.
Senator Natasha remains defiant, says she won’t apologize
Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (PDP, Kogi) on Tuesday gained access to her office at the Senate wing of the National Assembly, vowing not to apologize for what she described as her resistance to injustice.
She spoke with journalists shortly after her office was unsealed by an official of the Sergeant-at-Arms. The federal lawmaker, however, noted that she would keep further comments reserved for now, as some issues were still pending.
“I am going to be quite limited with what I’ll say. In the weeks to come, I will have much to say,” she told reporters.
According to her, she had not been officially communicated on conditions attached to her resumption.
She said her concern stemmed from reports suggesting that a motion may be raised calling on her to tender an apology.
“So, I am actually worried as to what apology they expect from me. You can’t apologize for an injustice,” she said.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan maintained that her suspension was unjust and insisted she would not apologize as a precondition for resuming her legislative duties.
Reflecting on her recent experiences, she said she and her supporters had endured many challenges during the period of her suspension but expressed gratitude to the people of Kogi Central, her family, and her colleagues who stood by her.
“In everything, it just shows that sometimes it’s good to put the institutions to test. We can’t be cowed in the face of injustice. No one is more Nigerian than us,” she said.