Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central, is poised to return to the National Assembly later this month following the expiration of her six-month suspension.
Her lawyer, Victor Giwa, confirmed that the senator, currently on vacation in London, has made arrangements to resume plenary when the Senate reconvenes 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 told The PUNCH.
He added that the Senate leadership is expected to welcome her back without resistance.
“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.
Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended on March 6, 2025, following allegations of insubordination after she refused a reassignment of her designated seat during plenary.
The Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions recommended the suspension, which stripped her of office privileges, aides, and salary.
The senator has consistently maintained that her suspension was politically motivated, linking it to a petition she filed accusing Senate President Godswill Akpabio of sexual harassment – a claim the Senate dismissed.
She later challenged the suspension in court and secured a judgment she said supported her recall, though the Senate leadership insisted the disciplinary measure would run its full course.
Her attempt to re-enter the chamber in July ended in a standoff, as security operatives blocked her entry despite a crowd of supporters rallying outside the National Assembly.
With the suspension officially ending last Saturday, Giwa stated that any lingering legal disputes would not hinder her return.
“Everything will be resolved. Even the court cases will become like an academic exercise,” he noted.
Efforts to obtain comments from Senate spokesman Yemi Adaramodu and Akpabio’s media aide were unsuccessful at the time of reporting.