The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has called on the Senate to permit the suspended lawmaker representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, to return to her legislative duties.
NBA President, Afam Osigwe (SAN), told The PUNCH on Wednesday that the senator’s suspension had run its course and that her continued exclusion was unjustified, despite the case being before the courts.
Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended on March 6, 2025, after the Senate adopted the report of its Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions, which found her guilty of violating chamber rules by refusing to vacate her assigned seat during plenary. The suspension barred her from receiving salary, aides, and other office privileges.
Although she challenged the decision at the Federal High Court and later at the Court of Appeal, the Senate, in a September 4 letter signed by acting Clerk to the National Assembly, Dr. Yahaya Danzaria, insisted the suspension would remain in place until the appellate court rules on the case.
“The matter remains sub judice, and until the judicial process is concluded, no administrative action can be taken to facilitate your resumption,” the letter read.
But Osigwe faulted the Senate’s stance, stressing that the expiry of the six-month suspension should automatically reinstate the lawmaker.
> “Challenging the correctness of that decision in court is separate from the expiration of the suspension period. If the suspension has ended, she can return, regardless of whether the Senate was right or wrong in suspending her. The Senate cannot use the pending appeal to deprive her of her seat once the actual suspension has ended,” he said.
He added that preventing her return leaves Kogi Central constituents without representation, urging the Senate to “act honourably and allow her to resume.”
