The Senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, on Tuesday arrived at the National Assembly complex in Abuja, accompanied by a crowd of supporters, as she prepared to reclaim her seat following the expiration of her six-month suspension.
Her return came just hours after she appeared before the Federal High Court in Abuja in a case marked FHC/ABJ/CR/195/2025.
The lawmaker is facing trial on alleged defamation of Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Kogi State governor, Yahaya Bello. Prosecutors allege that she accused Akpabio of directing Bello to orchestrate an attempt on her life, charges filed under the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) (Amendment) Act, 2024.
Earlier in the day, officials of the National Assembly unsealed her office, which had been locked since March 6, 2025, when her suspension began.
The reopening was carried out by Deputy Director of the Sergeant-at-Arms, Alabi Adedeji.
It is still uncertain whether Akpoti-Uduaghan will immediately return to plenary, as the Senate has postponed its resumption of sittings by two weeks.