Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central, is set to resume her duties at the National Assembly later this month after serving a six-month suspension. Her lawyer, Victor Giwa, confirmed the development in an interview with The PUNCH on Sunday.
According to Giwa, the senator is currently in London on vacation but has already made preparations to rejoin plenary when the Senate reconvenes on September 23.
“Actually, she’s ready to resume her term. She’s in London. Everything is in place, and the six months have expired. The only thing left is her resumption,” Giwa said.
He further disclosed that the Senate leadership was not expected to hinder her return. “We have been told that even the leadership of the Senate is ready to welcome her. So that’s the situation at the moment. There is no obstacle at all,” he assured.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended on March 6 after the Senate adopted recommendations from its Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions, which accused her of insubordination over her refusal to accept a change of seating arrangement during plenary.
The suspension stripped her of aides, office privileges, and salaries. However, the lawmaker has consistently maintained that the disciplinary action was politically motivated, linking it to her petition accusing Senate President Godswill Akpabio of sexual harassment—a claim the Senate dismissed.
She later challenged the suspension in court and secured a judgment in her favour, though the Senate insisted she would serve the full six months before being recalled.
In July, her attempt to return to the chamber ended in a dramatic standoff after security operatives blocked her entry despite a crowd of supporters rallying outside the National Assembly complex.
With the expiration of her suspension last weekend, Giwa said pending legal disputes would no longer pose a barrier to her return.
“Everything will be resolved. Even the court cases will become like an academic exercise,” he added.
Efforts to reach Senate leadership for confirmation were unsuccessful, as calls and messages to Senate spokesman Yemi Adaramodu and Senate President Akpabio’s media aide went unanswered.
