Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central, is expected to return to the National Assembly later this month after serving a six-month suspension.
Lawmaker’s lawyer, Victor Giwa, confirmed that she has made all necessary arrangements to resume plenary when the Senate reconvenes on September 23, as she is currently on vacation in London.
“Everything is in place, and the six months have expired. The only thing left is her resumption,” Giwa said, assuring that Senate leadership would not obstruct her return.
Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended on March 6 for alleged insubordination after refusing to relocate her designated seat in plenary, resulting in the loss of her aides, salary, and office entitlements as recommended by the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions.
The senator has maintained that her suspension was politically motivated, citing her petition that accused Senate President Godswill Akpabio of sexual harassment, an allegation the Senate dismissed.
Although the court ruled in her favour, the Senate leadership maintained that she had to serve the six-month penalty, and her attempt to return in July was thwarted by security operatives who prevented her from entering.
With the suspension now lifted, her lawyer stated that ongoing court disputes will no longer impact her mandate, rendering any further court cases essentially moot, according to Giwa.
