Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan of Kogi Central is expected to resume plenary this month following the expiration of her six-month suspension, her lawyer has disclosed.
Her counsel, Victor Giwa, told The PUNCH in Abuja that the lawmaker, currently on vacation in London, has concluded plans to return once the National Assembly 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 the Senate leadership would not hinder 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 assured.
Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended on March 6 after she resisted a change of her designated seat during plenary, an act the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions described as insubordination.
The suspension stripped her of aides, office privileges, and salaries.
The senator had maintained that her punishment was politically motivated, linking it to her petition accusing Senate President Godswill Akpabio of sexual harassment, an allegation dismissed by the Senate.
She later challenged the suspension in court and claimed victory in her bid for reinstatement, though the Senate insisted she would serve the full term of the penalty.
In July, her attempt to return to the chamber ended in a confrontation with security operatives who blocked her entry despite a show of support from her constituents.
With the suspension officially elapsed on September 6, her lawyer insisted pending legal disputes would not delay her resumption.
“Everything will be resolved. Even the court cases will become like an academic exercise,” Giwa said.
Efforts to reach the Senate leadership for comments proved unsuccessful, as calls and messages to Senate spokesman Yemi Adaramodu and Akpabio’s media aide went unanswered