Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan told her she cannot resume despite her six month suspension being over

NIGERIA'S senate has formally rejected a request from the lawmaker representing Kogi Central Senatorial District Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan that she be reinstated saying she will remain barred until the Court of Appeal rules on her case.

In March this year, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan alleged that the senate president Senator Godswill Akpabio had sexually harassed her and subsequently victimised her for rejecting his advances. Senator Akpabio denied the allegations and his wife then filed a civil lawsuit against Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, in what became a messy spat.

Then, on March 6, things took a turn for the worse when the senate formally suspended Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan for six months. She has since challenged the decision in court and with it still pending before the Court of Appeal, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan has been told that she cannot resume her legislative duties in the National Assembly until the matter has been heard.

In a letter issued by the acting clerk of  the National Assembly, Dr Yahaya Danzaria, dated September 4, 2025, the senate acknowledged Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s notification of her intended return on September 4, the date she claimed marked the end of her suspension. However, the senate clarified that her suspension took effect on March 6 could not be lifted yet as the matter is still sub judice.

Apparently, the Senate insisted that no administrative action can be taken until the Court of Appeal delivers a verdict. In a letter sent to Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, Dr Danzaria stated that the senate would only review her suspension after the court’s pronouncement.

He wrote: “The matter remains sub judice, and until the judicial process is concluded, no administrative action can be taken to facilitate your resumption."

Victor Giwa, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan's lawyer, had stated that the senator was on vacation in London but had already made plans to resume work alongside her colleagues when the Senate reconvenes on September 23. It is not yet clear how the matter will now be resolved on September 23 if the senator insists on resuming work.

In July, after winning a court case nullifying her suspension, the senator's attempt to force her way back into the National Assembly ended in a stand-off, with security operatives barring her entry. At the time, the senate leadership insisted that she would remain suspended until the six-month period elapsed.

Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan's suspension, based on the recommendations of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions, also stripped her of aides, office privileges and salaries. At the time, the committee rejected her sexual harassment claim against Senator Akpabio.