Court Must Decide First — NASS Cites Subjudice, Blocks Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s Return Despite Lapse Of Six Months

The National Assembly Management has rejected Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s request to resume legislative duties, insisting that her six-month suspension remains in effect pending the Court of Appeal’s decision.

In a letter dated September 4, 2025, and signed by the Acting Clerk to the National Assembly (Ag. CNA), Dr. Yahaya Danzaria, the parliament acknowledged receiving Akpoti-Uduaghan’s notification of her intention to return to the Senate on September 4, which she argued marked the end of her suspension.

However, the management clarified that her suspension, which stemmed from a Senate resolution over alleged misconduct, formally took effect on March 6, 2025, and remains binding until the judiciary rules on the appeal she filed against the Senate’s decision.

Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central, was suspended following a clash with Senate President Godswill Akpabio during plenary. While the Federal High Court in Abuja upheld the Senate’s action, the lawmaker subsequently appealed the ruling, leaving the matter unresolved.

“The matter, therefore, remains subjudice, and until the judicial process is concluded and the Senate formally reviews the suspension in the light of the court’s pronouncement, no administrative action can be taken by this office to facilitate your resumption,” the Ag. CNA wrote.

He further assured that the senator would be “duly notified of the Senate’s decision on the matter as soon as it is resolved.”