Lawyer Says Natasha Will Resume Senate Duties After Returning From London
Lawyer Says Natasha Will Resume Senate Duties After Returning From London
Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central, is set to return to the National Assembly later this month following the completion of her six-month suspension, her lawyer has confirmed.
Her counsel, Victor Giwa, explained that the senator is currently on vacation in London but has already made arrangements to resume plenary with her colleagues when the Senate reconvenes on September 23.
“Actually, she’s prepared to resume her duties. She’s in London, but everything is set, and the six months have lapsed. The only thing left is her return,” Giwa said.
He added that the Senate leadership is not expected to pose any hindrance to her resumption. “We have been assured that even the Senate leadership is ready to welcome her back. So, at the moment, there’s no obstacle at all,” he stated.
Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended on March 6 following allegations of insubordination after she rejected a change of her designated seat during plenary.
The suspension, based on recommendations of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions, also stripped her of aides, office privileges, and salaries.
The lawmaker had consistently argued that her ordeal was linked to her petition accusing Senate President Godswill Akpabio of sexual harassment, a claim the Senate dismissed.
She later contested her suspension in court and obtained a judgment which she claimed supported her reinstatement.
The Senate leadership, however, insisted that she would remain suspended until the full six-month term had run its course.
In July, her bid to re-enter the National Assembly ended in a standoff when security operatives blocked her access, despite a crowd of supporters gathered outside in solidarity.
Now that the suspension has expired as of last Saturday, her lawyer affirmed that ongoing legal disputes would not impede her return.
“Everything will be resolved. Even the court cases will amount to nothing more than an academic exercise,” Giwa said.
Attempts to get comments from the Senate leadership were unsuccessful, as calls and messages to Senate spokesman Yemi Adaramodu and Senate President Akpabio’s media aide went unanswered.
