“You Cannot Resume Senate Now” – NASS Tells Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan

Natasha Akpoti

The National Assembly (NASS) has informed suspended Senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, that she cannot resume her legislative duties just yet.

Despite the senator serving her six-month suspension in full, the National Assembly recently revealed that Natasha’s suspension remains in effect as the case is still before the Court of Appeal.

In a letter dated September 4, 2025, and signed by the Acting Clerk to the National Assembly (Ag. CNA), Dr. Yahaya Danzaria, the Parliament acknowledged receipt of Akpoti-Uduaghan’s notification of her intended return to the Senate.

However, the letter emphasised that the senator’s suspension, effective from March 6, 2025, remains in force while the matter is subjudice.

“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,” it read.

Yahaya further noted that Natasha “will be duly notified of the Senate’s decision on the matter as soon as it is resolved.”

Recall that Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended by the Senate in March 2025 after an alleged misconduct involving a dispute with Senate President Godswill Akpabio over seat arrangements during a plenary session on the floor of the Red Chamber.

The letter reiterated that the Senate will only review Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension after the Court of Appeal delivers its final judgment.