Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan resumed plenary on Tuesday, taking the same seat she once protested, after serving a six-month suspension that remains under court review.
Kogi Central Senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, on Tuesday resumed plenary at the National Assembly after serving a six-month suspension imposed by the Senate.
Mrs. Akpoti-Uduaghan, who had previously protested the reassignment of her seat, took her designated position in the minority section — the right side of the sixth row — around 12 noon, shortly after Senate President Godswill Akpabio assumed control of proceedings.
Dressed in white attire, with a matching head tie and black sunglasses, she was warmly welcomed by colleagues including Seriake Dickson (PDP, Bayelsa West), Ogoshi Onawo (PDP, Nasarawa), Gbenga Daniel (APC, Ogun East), and Samaila Dahuwa (PDP, Bauchi North).
The senator had been suspended on March 6 following recommendations from the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions. She was accused of misconduct during a February 20 plenary, when her protest over seat reassignment disrupted proceedings. As part of her suspension, her office was locked, aides withdrawn, and her salary and allowances withheld.
Although her office was reopened on September 23, and she has now resumed plenary, the matter is still pending before the court.