The National Assembly has reopened the office of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central, after six months of suspension.
On Tuesday, the Deputy Director of the Sergeant-at-Arms, Alabi Adedeji, carried out the exercise at Suite 2.05 of the Senate Wing. “To unseal Senator Natasha Akpoti’s office, I, Alabi Adedeji, Deputy Director, Sergeant-at-Arms, hereby unseal the office,” he announced before unlocking the doors, marking the end of a sanction that has kept the Senator away from her chamber duties since March.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension followed recommendations from the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions, which accused her of violating standing rules. The disciplinary measure stripped her of aides, salaries, and office privileges, a move that attracted heavy backlash from civil society groups and opposition figures, who described it as politically motivated.
The Kogi lawmaker challenged her suspension in court, but despite filing for reinstatement in July, the attempt was unsuccessful. With her six months officially completed this September, she declared readiness to resume plenary.
Two weeks ago, she formally wrote to the Senate notifying it of her intention to return. However, Senate leadership insisted that no decision would be taken until the court process was concluded.
Her counsel, Jacobs, criticised this stance as contradictory. “You cannot blow hot and cold at the same time. You cannot say the courts should not interfere in your internal affairs and then turn around to rely on the court process to delay compliance with your own rules. Six months should be six months, no discussion, no hesitation,” he argued.
He further accused the Senate of dragging the matter by raising endless objections rather than allowing the substantive issues to be heard in court. “They keep filing one objection or the other to make sure we don’t get to a hearing. If they believe they have evidence against her, let the matter proceed in court. But you can’t keep the case stalled and at the same time deny her return after the suspension period has lapsed,” he said in Abuja.
With the office now unsealed, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan is expected to make her return when plenary resumes on October 7, though the legal battle remains unresolved.
What you should know
Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, a lawyer and businesswoman, represents Kogi Central in the Senate. Known for her strong stance on governance and accountability, her six-month suspension sparked widespread debate about legislative discipline and constitutional rights.
The reopening of her office signals her imminent return, but the unresolved court case ensures her political tussle is far from over.
