Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central, officially resumed legislative duties on Tuesday after a six-month suspension. The lawmaker entered the Senate chamber at exactly 11:42 a.m., marking her first appearance since the disciplinary action was lifted.
Her return signaled the end of a prolonged legal battle that had generated widespread reactions across the country.
It will be recalled that the Senate adjourned plenary on July 24 to proceed on its annual recess, with an initial plan to reconvene on September 23. However, according to a memo signed by the Chief of Staff to the Senate President, Chinedu Akubueze, and sighted by LEADERSHIP on September 23, the resumption date was later moved to October 7.
Upon her arrival, Akpoti-Uduaghan took her designated seat in the chamber and exchanged pleasantries with some of her colleagues.
She was accompanied to the National Assembly by several civil society activists, including BringBackOurGirls co-convener Aisha Yesufu, who was seen observing proceedings from the Senate gallery. However, some of the senator’s supporters were reportedly denied access to the gallery.
Akpoti-Uduaghan’s return followed a court ruling which declared her six-month suspension “excessive and unconstitutional.” Before her resumption, the Senate had already unsealed her office to allow her return to duty.
Her comeback comes despite earlier resistance from the National Assembly management, which had insisted that she remained suspended pending the outcome of ongoing litigation.
The senator’s suspension, which took effect on March 6, had stripped her of access to her office, security aides, and all legislative privileges.