Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central, is set to return to the National Assembly later this month following the completion of her six-month suspension, her lawyer has confirmed.
Her counsel, Victor Giwa, revealed that the senator, who has been on vacation in London, has made plans to resume plenary when the Senate reconvenes on September 23.
“Actually, she’s ready to resume her term. She’s in London. Everything is in place, and the six months have expired. The only thing left is her resumption,” Giwa said.
He also assured that the Senate leadership was expected to welcome her back without any obstruction. “We have been told that even the leadership of the Senate is ready to welcome her. So that’s the situation at the moment. There is no obstacle at all,” he added.
Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended on March 6 following allegations of insubordination after she reportedly rejected a change of her designated seat during plenary. The suspension, based on recommendations from the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions, also saw her stripped of aides, office privileges, and salaries.
The senator has maintained that her suspension was linked to her petition accusing Senate President Godswill Akpabio of sexual harassment, a claim the Senate dismissed.
She later challenged her suspension in court and secured a judgment she said favoured her recall. However, the Senate leadership insisted that she would remain suspended until the full six-month period elapsed.
Her attempt to return to the National Assembly in July resulted in a standoff, as security operatives barred her entry despite a large crowd of supporters outside.
With the expiration of the suspension last Saturday, Giwa expressed confidence that pending legal disputes would not impede her return. “Everything will be resolved. Even the court cases will become like an academic exercise,” he said.