The National Assembly has maintained that Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension stands until the Court of Appeal delivers its verdict.
ABUJA – The National Assembly Management has rejected Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s attempt to resume legislative duties, insisting her suspension remains valid until the Court of Appeal rules on her case.
Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central, was suspended in March 2025 following a heated exchange with Senate President Godswill Akpabio during plenary. The disagreement reportedly arose over seating arrangements in the chamber.
The senator challenged her suspension at the Federal High Court, Abuja, but the court upheld the Senate’s decision. She has since taken the matter to the appellate court.
In a letter dated September 4, 2025, signed by Acting Clerk to the National Assembly, Dr. Yahaya Danzaria, management acknowledged her notification to resume duties on that date, which she argued marked the end of her six-month suspension.
However, the letter clarified that her suspension took effect on March 6, 2025, and remains in force until the judiciary concludes its review.
“The matter, therefore, remains sub judice, 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,” the letter read.
This leaves her constituents temporarily unrepresented in the Red Chamber.