The National Assembly has stopped Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan from resuming her legislative duties, insisting her six-month suspension remains active until the Court of Appeal rules on her case.
The management of the National Assembly has maintained that Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s six-month suspension is still valid, stressing that it cannot be lifted while the case remains before the Court of Appeal.
Reports indicate that although the Federal High Court in Abuja ruled in favour of the Senate, Akpoti-Uduaghan rejected the judgment and has since taken the matter to the appellate court in pursuit of redress.
In a letter dated September 4, 2025, and signed by the Acting Clerk to the National Assembly, Dr. Yahaya Danzaria, the Parliament confirmed that it had received Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s notice of her intention to return to the Senate, which she argued coincided with the end of her six-month suspension.
The National Assembly, however, clarified that the suspension officially commenced on March 6, 2025, and stressed that the case remains before the Court of Appeal. It added that until the judicial process is concluded, Akpoti-Uduaghan would not be allowed to resume her legislative duties.
The Leadership NG specifically reported that “the National Assembly insisted that no administrative action can be taken until the Court of Appeal finally deliver a verdict on the matter.”
Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central, was suspended in March 2025 by the Senate resolution over alleged misconduct following a spat with the Senate President Godswill Akpabio over seating arrangement during plenary in the Red Chamber.
The letter explained that the Senate will reconsider her suspension only after the court delivers its final ruling.
“The matter, therefore, remains subjudice, 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 letter by the Ag. CNA to Akpoti-Uduaghan read.
He further noted that Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan would be formally informed of the Senate’s position once the issue is finally settled.
