By Prosper Mene
The National Assembly (NASS) has formally rejected Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s bid to return to her legislative role, citing an ongoing appeal at the Court of Appeal as the primary reason.
The Kogi Central representative, suspended for six months earlier this year amid allegations of misconduct, had notified NASS of her intention to resume on September 4, 2025, claiming the penalty period had lapsed.
The decision, outlined in a letter dated September 4, 2025, from Acting Clerk to the National Assembly, Dr. Yahaya Danzaria, shows the delicate balance between parliamentary autonomy and judicial oversight. Danzaria acknowledged receipt of Akpoti-Uduaghan’s notification but emphasized that the matter remains “sub judice,” meaning it is under active judicial consideration. “Until the judicial process is concluded and the Senate formally reviews the suspension in light of the court’s pronouncement, no administrative action can be taken by this office to facilitate your resumption,” the letter stated.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s troubles began in March 2025, when the Senate imposed a six-month suspension on her following a heated dispute over seating arrangements during a plenary session. The altercation reportedly escalated into accusations of gross misconduct and a violation of Senate rules. The senator, one of only four female senators in the 109-member upper chamber, has linked the suspension to a prior petition she filed accusing Senate President Godswill Akpabio of sexual harassment a claim Akpabio has vehemently denied.
The suspension, effective from March 6, 2025, barred her from participating in legislative activities and accessing Senate facilities. In July 2025, Akpoti-Uduaghan attempted an early return, citing a Federal High Court ruling by Justice Binta Nyako that described the suspension as “excessive and unconstitutional” and ordered her recall. However, security personnel denied her entry to the National Assembly complex, forcing her to walk in on foot accompanied by activists like Aisha Yesufu.
The Senate dismissed the ruling as advisory rather than binding, arguing that courts cannot interfere in internal parliamentary procedures.
Subsequently, the Federal High Court found Akpoti-Uduaghan guilty of contempt for a social media post that allegedly violated a court order, fining her N5 million and requiring a public apology. Dissatisfied with these developments, she appealed to the Court of Appeal in Abuja, where the case remains pending.
On August 28, 2025, Akpoti-Uduaghan wrote to Clerk Kamoru Ogunlana, asserting that September 4 marked the end of her suspension and requesting confirmation of arrangements for her return. She highlighted the need to catch up on committee assignments, review pending legislation, and address constituency matters accumulated during her absence. NASS’s response, however, was unequivocal. While confirming the suspension’s timeline, Danzaria noted that the appellate process halts any immediate action. The letter assured the senator that she would be notified of the Senate’s final decision once the Court of Appeal rules.
This stance has drawn criticism from supporters who view it as an extension of political vendetta, particularly given Akpoti-Uduaghan’s vocal advocacy for gender equity and her status as a rare female voice in the male-dominated Senate.
