There was excitement in Abuja on Tuesday as supporters of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan trooped out to celebrate the reopening of her office at the National Assembly.
The cheering crowd had earlier accompanied the lawmaker from the FCT High Court, where she appeared in a defamation case filed by the Federal Government on behalf of Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, before marching toward the National Assembly complex.
Her office, located in Suite 2.05 of the Senate Wing, was unsealed earlier in the day by the Deputy Director of the Sergeant-at-Arms, Alabi Adedeji.
The development clears the way for the Kogi Central Senator’s anticipated return to plenary when lawmakers reconvene on October 7, 2025.
The office had been under lock for six months, following her suspension in March over alleged breaches of Senate standing rules.
The decision triggered widespread criticism from civil society groups and opposition voices, many of whom described the move as politically motivated.
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In July, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan turned to the courts in an effort to overturn her suspension and sought to return to her legislative duties.
Although her initial attempt failed, she completed the six-month suspension earlier this month and wrote to the Senate notifying it of her readiness to resume.
The Senate, however, insisted that the issue remains tied to ongoing judicial proceedings. In a formal response, it stressed: “The matter remains sub judice, and until the judicial process is concluded, no administrative action can be taken to facilitate your resumption.”
Despite the Senate’s stance, Tuesday’s unsealing of her office has rekindled optimism among her supporters that she will soon reclaim her seat in the Red Chamber.