Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central, has officially resumed her duties at her National Assembly office in Abuja, despite ongoing legal complexities and a prior six-month suspension. Her return on Tuesday, at approximately 12:30 p.m., was marked by a procession of supporters, including prominent activist Aisha Yesufu, who marched with her from the FCT High Court in Maitama to the National Assembly complex, waving Nigerian flags and chanting solidarity songs.

Upon arrival, security operatives at the main gate initially barred the crowd of supporters, later dispersing them with teargas. However, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan and a few aides were eventually granted access to the building. She proceeded to Suite 2.05 of the Senate Wing, taking her seat just hours after the National Assembly management had unsealed her office.

Addressing journalists, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan declared she had “no apologies to make” regarding her resumption, affirming her commitment to her duties. As of press time, the National Assembly management had not issued a formal statement on her official clearance to resume. The management had previously maintained that she could not return while her suspension case was pending in court, clarifying that only the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, could approve her resumption.

The genesis of her ordeal was a six-month suspension by the Senate on March 6, based on recommendations from its Committee on Ethics, Privileges, Code of Conduct and Public Petitions. The committee accused her of defying the Senate’s sitting arrangement and engaging in alleged misconduct during a plenary session on February 20. Beyond the suspension, the upper chamber withdrew her security aides, locked her Senate office, suspended her salary and allowances, and banned her from entering the National Assembly premises. While the Senate offered an early recall upon a written apology, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan chose to challenge the decision in court.

In July, Federal High Court Judge Binta Nyako ruled in her favour, asserting that suspending an elected lawmaker for six months infringed upon her constituents’ right to representation. However, the court did not order immediate reinstatement, instead issuing an advisory opinion urging the Senate to reconsider the suspension. In a separate ruling, the court found Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan guilty of civil contempt for a satirical social media post deemed disrespectful to the court, fining her N5 million and ordering a public apology. Dissatisfied, Senate President Akpabio filed a cross-appeal on July 11, arguing that the Federal High Court erred by intervening in the Senate’s internal disciplinary process.

Recounting her experience, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan described her suspension as a “difficult but remarkable experience,” lamenting the personal cost incurred. She expressed gratitude to the people of Kogi Central, Nigerians, and particularly her husband for their support. The senator also openly accused Senate President Akpabio of treating her unfairly and running the Senate in a dictatorial manner, stating, “We can’t cower down in the face of injustice.” She maintained that her suspension was illegal, stressing that she continued to discharge her legislative responsibilities to her constituents throughout the period, ensuring they did not suffer neglect.

Adding to her legal battles, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan is also facing two criminal cases: a criminal defamation case and a cybercrime case. Both charges stem from public remarks she made earlier in the year, particularly during a Channels Television's 'Politics Today' interview on April 3, where she accused Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello, her political adversaries, of plotting to assassinate her. She denied the charges in both cases.

Her legal team’s filing of notices of preliminary objection has stalled both trials. On Tuesday, the defamation trial at the FCT High Court was cut short due to her legal team’s objection challenging her trial by the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) office, which they accused of abuse of power. The AGF’s prosecution lawyer, D.E. Kaswe, accused the defence of attempting to frustrate the hearing, while the defence lawyer, West Idahosa, argued they had served the prosecution appropriately and had not received necessary evidence. Judge Chizoba Oji adjourned the defamation case to October 27 for the hearing of the preliminary objection. Similarly, her cybercrime trial at the Federal High Court was rescheduled to September 26.