Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central, has found her anticipated return to the National Assembly after a six-month suspension complicated by conflicting directives from her legal counsel and the National Assembly bureaucracy. Her lawyer, Victor Giwa, confirmed her readiness to resume legislative duties, stating that her suspension, which began on March 6, had officially expired. Giwa indicated that the senator, currently on vacation in London, had made plans to resume plenary when the Senate reconvenes on September 23, expressing confidence that the Senate leadership was prepared to welcome her back without obstruction and that any pending legal disputes would become merely academic.

However, the National Assembly (NASS) has informed Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan that she cannot yet resume her legislative duties despite the completion of her six-month suspension. According to a letter dated September 4, 2025, and signed by the Acting Clerk to the National Assembly (Ag. CNA), Dr. Yahaya Danzaria, the Parliament acknowledged her notification of intended return but clarified that her suspension remains in effect because the case is still before the Court of Appeal, rendering the matter subjudice.

The suspension, effective from March 6, 2025, stemmed from allegations of insubordination after she reportedly rejected a change of her designated seat during a plenary session. This action, based on recommendations from the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions, also resulted in her being stripped of aides, office privileges, and salaries. Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan had maintained that her suspension was linked to a petition accusing Senate President Godswill Akpabio of sexual harassment, a claim the Senate had previously dismissed.

Despite her having challenged the suspension in court and securing a judgment she claimed favored her recall, the Senate leadership had consistently insisted that she would remain suspended until the full six-month period elapsed. An earlier attempt to return to the National Assembly in July resulted in a standoff, as security operatives barred her entry. The NASS's official stance, as communicated by Dr. Danzaria, is that no administrative action can be taken to facilitate her resumption until the judicial process is concluded and the Senate formally reviews the suspension in light of the court’s pronouncement. She will be duly notified of the Senate’s decision once the matter is resolved by the Court of Appeal.