The Senate has rejected Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s request to resume legislative duties, insisting that her six-month suspension remains valid until the Court of Appeal delivers judgment on her case.

In a letter addressed to the lawmaker and signed by the Acting Clerk to the National Assembly, Dr. Yahaya Danzaria, the Senate acknowledged receiving her notice of intent to return to plenary on September 4, 2025, which she argued marked the expiration of her suspension.

However, the Senate maintained that her suspension, which began on March 6, 2025, is still in effect, stressing that the matter is currently before the appellate court and therefore sub judice.

“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 in part.

Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central Senatorial District, was suspended in March after the upper chamber accused her of breaching its standing orders.

The Federal High Court in Abuja later upheld the Senate’s decision, a ruling she has since challenged at the Court of Appeal.

According to the Clerk’s letter, the Senate will only consider a review of her suspension after the appellate court concludes its judgment.

The development has heightened political tension in Kogi Central, where Akpoti-Uduaghan’s supporters argue that her suspension amounts to a denial of representation for the constituency.

Observers note that the case will test the balance between parliamentary discipline and judicial oversight in Nigeria’s democratic process.

The Senate has rejected Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s request to resume legislative duties, insisting that her six-month suspension remains valid until the Court of Appeal delivers judgment on her case.

In a letter addressed to the lawmaker and signed by the Acting Clerk to the National Assembly, Dr. Yahaya Danzaria, the Senate acknowledged receiving her notice of intent to return to plenary on September 4, 2025, which she argued marked the expiration of her suspension.

However, the Senate maintained that her suspension, which began on March 6, 2025, is still in effect, stressing that the matter is currently before the appellate court and therefore sub judice.

“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 in part.

Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central Senatorial District, was suspended in March after the upper chamber accused her of breaching its standing orders.

The Federal High Court in Abuja later upheld the Senate’s decision, a ruling she has since challenged at the Court of Appeal.

According to the Clerk’s letter, the Senate will only consider a review of her suspension after the appellate court concludes its judgment.

The development has heightened political tension in Kogi Central, where Akpoti-Uduaghan’s supporters argue that her suspension amounts to a denial of representation for the constituency.

Observers note that the case will test the balance between parliamentary discipline and judicial oversight in Nigeria’s democratic process.