Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, Senator representing Kogi Central, has vowed to resume plenary activities on Tuesday, in line with a court decision.
The court judgment, delivered on July 4, 2025, ruled that the senator’s six-month suspension by the Senate was unlawful, excessive, and a clear violation of her constitutional right to represent her constituents.
The court held that the action contravened Section 63 of the 1999 Constitution and flouted the Senate Standing Orders, which limit such suspensions to just 14 days.
The Senate has since filed an appeal.
Speaking in her constituency on Saturday, the lawmaker, who was suspended in March, maintained that while the suspension did not stop her from delivering projects to her constituents, it hindered her ability to carry out key legislative duties such as sponsoring bills and moving motions.
She said: “I have pretty much two months more before the six months expire. However, I have written to the Senate again telling them that I’m resuming on the 22nd, which is on Tuesday, by the special grace of God.“I will be there, because the court did make the decision on that. Now, they argue that it’s an order, it’s not an order, but it is a decision.”
“I did mention that every senator has three major functions. Legislative, which is the creation of laws and review of treaties. Then we have oversight, which is to oversee ministers and agencies. And then the third is representation, which I’m doing.“Whereby I identify the problems and the challenges of my community, and I make sure I present them and have them captured in the federal budget. And I have done pretty well with that. Of course, I do miss putting up my bills there, but it didn’t stop me from working.”
