KEY POINTS
- Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan will resume her Senate seat this month.
- Her six-month suspension officially expired last Saturday.
- Lawyer says Senate leadership is prepared to receive her.
Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan will rejoin the National Assembly later this month after serving a six-month suspension, her lawyer confirmed.
Victor Giwa, counsel to the lawmaker representing Kogi Central, said that Akpoti-Uduaghan is currently in London but is preparing 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 said, adding that Senate leadership is expected to welcome her back without hindrance.
Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan suspension tied to Senate seat dispute
Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended on March 6 after refusing to comply with a seat change during plenary. The Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions recommended the penalty, which also stripped her of salaries, office privileges, and aides.
Senator linked ordeal to harassment claims
The lawmaker had insisted her suspension was politically motivated, linking it to her petition accusing Senate President Godswill Akpabio of sexual harassment, a claim the Senate dismissed. She later won a court judgment in her favor but was still blocked from resuming until the suspension expired.
Return expected without legal obstacles
Despite pending lawsuits, Giwa said legal disputes would not obstruct her return. “Everything will be resolved. Even the court cases will become like an academic exercise,” he noted. Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan suspension comes to an end, but attempts to get comments from Senate officials were unsuccessful.
