The Senate has rejected Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s bid to return to plenary, stressing that her suspension remains valid until the Court of Appeal decides on her case.
In a letter addressed to the lawmaker and signed by the Acting Clerk to the National Assembly, Dr. Yahaya Danzaria, the upper chamber confirmed it had received her notification that she intended to resume on the 4th of September, 2025, which she argued was the expiration date of her six-month suspension.
The Senate, however, countered her claim, maintaining that the suspension commenced on the 6th of March, 2025. It further emphasized that the case is before the Court of Appeal and therefore outside its administrative jurisdiction.
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“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.
Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central, was suspended in March following allegations that she breached the Senate’s standing orders. Although the Federal High Court in Abuja upheld the decision, she appealed the judgment and is awaiting a ruling from the appellate court.
The Senate maintained that it would only consider her return after the appeal is determined.