Suspended Senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti Uduaghan, is set to stage a controversial return to plenary today, despite strong warnings from the Senate leadership that her suspension remains in full effect.
The lawmaker, who was suspended in March over alleged misconduct, told journalists at a constituency event that she had Officially notified the Senate of her intention to resume duties, citing a recent court ruling as justification. 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.”
Akpoti-Uduaghan maintained that the Federal High Court’s recent judgment supported her return to the Red Chamber, even as the Senate continues to argue otherwise.
They argue that it’s an order, it’s not an order, but it is a decision,” she said, adding that the suspension hindered her from performing core legislative functions like sponsoring bills and moving motions.
Backing her stance, her counsel, West Idahosa (SAN), said the ruling made it clear that the Senate had overreached its constitutional powers by suspending her for 180 days.
Idahosa said, “When you say the plaintiff should go back, you mean she should go back to work. Now that she said she wants to go and resume, let us see what the reaction of the Senate will be.”
