The management of Nigeria’s National Assembly has declared that Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan cannot resume her legislative duties until the Court of Appeal decides on her case, despite her claim that her six-month suspension has ended.
Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central, had notified the National Assembly that she intended to return on September 4, 2025. However, the Acting Clerk to the National Assembly, Dr. Yahaya Danzaria, maintained in a letter to her that her suspension, which began on March 6, 2025, has not been vacated.
The letter read in part:
“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.”
Her suspension was linked to a confrontation with Senate President Godswill Akpabio on seating arrangements during a plenary session. While the Federal High Court in Abuja sided with the Senate in its earlier ruling, the Senator proceeded to challenge the verdict at the Court of Appeal.
The management of the National Assembly emphasized that no step will be taken on her reinstatement until the judiciary resolves the matter conclusively.