The national assembly has prevented Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, senator representing Kogi central, from resuming legislative duties, insisting that her suspension is still a subject of litigation.
Akpoti-Uduaghan had, in a letter dated August 28, 2025, notified the clerk to the national assembly of her intention to resume on September 4, the date she said marked the end of her six-month suspension.
She argued that the federal high court had in July declared her suspension “excessive and unconstitutional” and ordered her recall.“I write to formally notify you on my decision to resume my legislative function upon the expiration of the suspension period,” she said.
She added that the expiration entitled her to resume her “full duties as a distinguished senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria” without prejudice to the appeals filed at the court of appeal.
In a letter by the Acting Clerk to the National Assembly, Dr. Yahaya Danzaria, dated September 4, 2025, the Senate acknowledged Akpoti-Uduaghan’s notification of her intended return on September 4, the date she claimed marked the end of her suspension.
The upper chamber said her six-month suspension remains in force pending the outcome of a Court of Appeal case instituted against the Senate by Akpoti-Uduaghan.
It insisted that no administrative action can be taken until the Court of Appeal delivers a verdict, arguing that her suspension took effect on March 6, 2025, and the matter is still subjudice.
“The matter remains sub judice, and until the judicial process is concluded, no administrative action can be taken to facilitate your resumption,” the letter read in parts.
According to the letter, the Senate would only review her suspension after the court’s pronouncement.
“The matter remains sub judice, and until the judicial process is concluded, no administrative action can be taken to facilitate your resumption,” Danzaria stated.
