The Senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, on Tuesday, returned to the National Assembly after serving a six-month suspension imposed by the Senate earlier this year.
![](https://thenigerialawyer.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/idrinstitute.png")
The lawmaker, who arrived at the chamber around 11:42 a.m., was warmly received by a few colleagues as plenary resumed following a 10-week recess. Senate President Godswill Akpabio presided over the session.
Akpoti-Uduaghanâs return drew public attention as she was accompanied by several activists and loyalists, including Bring Back Our Girls campaigner Aisha Yesufu, who was spotted in the Senate gallery. However, many of her supporters were reportedly denied access to the chamber.
The senatorâs resumption marks the end of a suspension that stirred widespread controversy and debate. She had been suspended in March 2025 for alleged misconduct during her protest against the reassignment of her seat by Senate President Akpabio on February 20.
Following her suspension, her officeâSuite 2.05 in the Senate Wingâwas locked by security personnel on March 6. It was reopened in September by Deputy Director of the National Assembly Sergeant-at-Arms, Alabi Adedeji, ahead of her formal return to duty.
Akpoti-Uduaghan, who had chaired the Senate Committee on Diaspora and NGOs before her suspension, maintained that her punishment was politically motivated. Two weeks before her return, she accused Senate President Akpabio of acting like a âdictatorâ when she was granted access to her office.
Her reinstatement follows a Federal High Court judgment delivered in July by Justice Binta Nyako, who ruled that the six-month suspension was unconstitutional and excessive. The court ordered her immediate recall, emphasizing that suspending a lawmaker for such a long period deprived constituents of representation.
Despite the ruling, the Senate initially refused to comply, insisting that she must serve her full suspension. The Clerk to the National Assembly (CNA), Kamorudeen Ogunlana, through Acting Clerk Yahaya Danzaria, later notified her that the suspension would remain in effect pending the outcome of her appeal at the Court of Appeal.
Her counsel, Michael Jonathan Numa (SAN), subsequently issued a warning letter to the CNA on September 11, threatening contempt proceedings if the Senate failed to recall her by September 15.
In response, the CNAâs office clarified that it lacked authority to overturn Senate resolutions, stating that only the Senate itself could determine when she could resume.
In a statement signed by the Director of Information, Bullah Audu Bi-Allah, the CNAâs office stressed that âthe determination of whether Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan can resume her legislative duties as of right, following the expiration of her six-month suspension, lies solely with the Senate and not with the Clerkâs office.â
Akpoti-Uduaghanâs return, coinciding with the resumption of plenary, signals a full restoration of legislative business in the Red Chamber after an extended recess.
A timely new publication, Casebook on Privacy & Data Protection in Nigeria, co-authored by Olumide Babalola and Uchenna Nnawuchi, đCasebook on Privacy & Data Protection in Nigeria is now available on Amazon: https://a.co/d/8TmFZrd
______________________________________________________________________
Groundbreaking Guide For Lawyers: Adigwe Publishes âArtificial Intelligence For Lawyersâ With Free Research eBook
Authored by Ben Ijeoma Adigwe Esq., ACiarb (UK), LL.M, Dip. in Artificial Intelligence, Director at the Delta State Ministry of Justice, Asaba, Nigeria.
How to Order:
đ Call, Text, or WhatsApp: 08034917063 | 07055285878
đ§ Email: benadigwe1@gmail.com
đ Website: www.benadigwe.com
Ebook Version: Access it directly online at https://selar.com/prv626
______________________________________________________________________
Explore Nigeriaâs Constitutional System â 17 Chapters, 924 Pages Of Insight By Prof. Hagler Sunny Okorie
The books are available for purchase at:
Online: www.educodex.com | www.selar.com | www.amazon.com | www.mikeozekhome.com
Enquiries: +234 704 044 9375 | +234 814 813 4773 | +234 816 872 3532
Email: educodexl@gmail.com
______________________________________________________________________
[A MUST HAVE] Evidence Act Demystified With Recent And Contemporary Cases And Materials
Available now for NGN 40,000 at ASC Publications, 10, Boyle Street, Onikan, Lagos. Beside High Court, TBS. Email publications@ayindesanni.com or WhatsApp +2347056667384. Purchase Link: https://paystack.com/buy/evidence-act-complete-annotation
______________________________________________________________________
Alexander Payne Co. Law Reports
Contact & Orders đ 0704 444 4777 | 0704 444 4999 | 0818 199 9888 đ www.alexandernigeria.com
