ENUGU, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan of Kogi Central is set to return to the National Assembly later this month after completing her six-month suspension, her lawyer, Victor Giwa, confirmed.
Giwa said the senator, currently in London, has planned to resume plenary with her colleagues 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 stated.
He added that the Senate leadership was expected to welcome her return.
“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 said.
Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended on March 6 over allegations of insubordination after refusing a change of her designated seat during plenary.
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The suspension, following recommendations by the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions, also stripped her of aides, office privileges, and salaries.
The lawmaker had argued that her suspension was connected to her petition accusing Senate President Godswill Akpabio of sexual harassment, a claim dismissed by the Senate.
She later challenged the suspension in court and secured a judgment favoring her recall, although the Senate maintained she would remain suspended until the six-month period ended.
Her attempt to re-enter the National Assembly in July ended in a standoff, with security personnel barring her entry despite a supportive crowd outside.
With her suspension expiring last Saturday, Giwa said ongoing legal disputes would not impede her return.
“Everything will be resolved. Even the court cases will become like an academic exercise,” he noted.
Efforts to obtain comments from the Senate leadership were unsuccessful.
Calls and messages to Senate spokesman Yemi Adaramodu and Akpabio’s media aide were not returned.