An image file of Senator Natasha Akpoti Uduaghan

Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central, is set to return to the National Assembly later this month following the expiration of her six-month suspension, her lawyer has confirmed.

Her counsel, Victor Giwa, told the PRESS in Abuja that the lawmaker, currently on vacation in London, has already concluded plans to rejoin 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 said.

He added that Senate leadership was not expected to obstruct 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.”

Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended on March 6 for alleged insubordination after rejecting a change of her designated seat during plenary. The suspension, based on the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions’ recommendation, stripped her of aides, salaries, and office privileges.

The senator, however, maintained that her ordeal stemmed from her petition accusing Senate President Godswill Akpabio of sexual harassment—a claim dismissed by the Senate. She challenged the suspension in court and said she secured a judgement in her favour, but Senate leadership insisted she would remain suspended until the six-month term elapsed.

Her attempted return in July sparked a standoff, with security operatives barring her entry despite the presence of her supporters.

With the penalty now expired, her lawyer insisted that legal disputes would not delay her comeback.
“Everything will be resolved. Even the court cases will become like an academic exercise,” Giwa noted.

Efforts to reach Senate spokesperson Yemi Adaramodu and Akpabio’s media aide for comments were unsuccessful.