The National Assembly has unsealed the office of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, located in Suite 2.05 of the Senate Wing.
The office was unsealed on Tuesday by the Deputy Director of the Sergeant-at-Arms, Alabi Adedeji, effectively restoring her access to the National Assembly Complex, paving the way for her anticipated resumption of legislative duties.
To unseal Senator Natasha Akpoti’s office, I, Alabi Adedeji, Deputy Director, Sergeant-at-Arms, hereby unseal the office, said the Sergeant-at-Arms before unlocking the door to the office, which had been under seal for six months.
Suspension:
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended by the Senate for six months over alleged violations of its standing rules.
The suspension, recommended by the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions, also stripped her of aides, office privileges and salaries.
Her suspension attracted a lot of reactions, with many especially civil society organisations and opposition politicians condemning the action by the Senate.
She approached the court in July over the matter and made an unsuccessful attempt to resume sitting.
While the matter is still in court, the Kogi Senator served out her six months suspension this September and declared her intention to return to her duty.
Resumption:
About two weeks ago, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan wrote to the Senate, informing it of her intention to resume.
However, the lawmakers, while acknowledging her letter, said they would not take action on it until the end of the court process.
The matter remains sub judice, and until the judicial process is concluded, no administrative action can be taken to facilitate your resumption,” a reply by the Senate read in part.
The Senate maintained that her six-month suspension, which began on 6 March 2025, would only be reviewed after the Court of Appeal’s decision.
The lawmaker has consistently claimed her ordeal was linked to a petition in which she accused Senate President Akpabio of sexual harassment, a charge the Senate dismissed.
She challenged the suspension in court and said she secured a judgement in her favour.
