The Nigerian Bar Association has asked the Senate to allow Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central, to return to her seat after completing her suspension.
Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended on March 6, 2025, after the Senate adopted the findings of its Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions, which accused her of breaching chamber rules by refusing to vacate her allocated seat during a plenary session. As part of the suspension, she lost her salary, official aides and other entitlements.
She challenged the decision at the Federal High Court but later appealed after the judgment went against her. Following the completion of the six-month suspension period, she prepared to resume her duties. However, in a letter dated September 4 and signed by the acting Clerk to the National Assembly, Dr. Yahaya Danzaria, she was informed that her suspension would remain until the Court of Appeal gives its ruling.
The letter explained that because the matter was still before the court, no administrative step could be taken to allow her return until the case was resolved.
The Nigerian Bar Association disagreed with that position, stating that the expiration of the suspension period was a separate issue from the court case. According to the association, the Senate should not use the pending appeal as a reason to continue keeping her out of office. It stressed that her absence leaves her constituents without representation.
The body urged the Senate to permit her to resume while the court continues with the legal process, saying the expiration of the suspension should allow her to return to her legislative duties.