Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central, has been prevented from resuming her responsibilities in the Senate following a six-month suspension. The Senate has stated that her reinstatement is contingent upon the decision of the Appeal Court. She was suspended by the Nigerian Senate on March 6, 2025, after the adoption of a report submitted by
Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central, has been prevented from resuming her responsibilities in the Senate following a six-month suspension. The Senate has stated that her reinstatement is contingent upon the decision of the Appeal Court.
She was suspended by the Nigerian Senate on March 6, 2025, after the adoption of a report submitted by its Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions. The report alleged that she declined to vacate her assigned seat during plenary sessions and made inappropriate remarks toward the Senate leadership.
Before her suspension, Senator Natasha submitted allegations of sexual harassment against Senate President Godswill Akpabio, stating that he engaged in inappropriate conduct towards her in December 2023. The petition was later dismissed on procedural grounds, and the Senate characterised her suspension as a disciplinary action unrelated to the harassment allegation.
The suspension had stripped her of salary, office privileges, and the effective discharge of her constitutional duties. It is no longer certain for how long she will be locked out. A Senator is expected to sit for at least 180 days in a legislative year.
Natasha’s Legal Challenge
Following her suspension, Akpoti-Uduaghan filed a case with the Federal High Court, contending that the six-month disciplinary measure was disproportionate and infringed upon her constitutional rights as an elected official. On July 4, 2025, Justice Binta Nyako delivered a ruling in her favour, declaring that the suspension deprived her constituents of proper representation and, consequently, was unconstitutional.
Despite this, the Senate resisted immediate reinstatement. When the Senator sought to resume her Senate duties after the expiration of the six-month suspension, the Senate, through a letter dated September 4, 2025, from Acting Clerk to the National Assembly Dr. Yahaya Danzaria, informed her that the suspension would continue until the Court of Appeal delivered judgment on the Senate’s appeal.
The letter issued emphasised that the matter was still sub judice, and “no administrative action can be taken to facilitate your resumption,” leaving her effectively barred from her seat.
“The matter remains sub judice, and until the judicial process is concluded, no administrative action can be taken to facilitate your resumption. You will be duly notified of the Senate’s decision on the matter as soon as it is resolved,” the letter stated
Gender and Political Implications
Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension leaves Kogi Central without representation and highlights ongoing gender disparity and women’s underrepresentation in Nigeria’s political system.
As of September 2025, the Nigerian Senate consists of 109 members, with four women serving as senators, representing approximately 3.67% of the chamber. Following the departure of one female senator, the number has decreased to three women in the Senate.
The Senate’s extended suspension of her has drawn criticism from legal experts, civil groups, and commentators. The Nigerian Bar Association urged her reinstatement, saying the six-month period should guarantee her return despite any appeal. NBA President Afam Osigwe warned that continued delay denies her constituents proper representation.
Her case underscores notable gender disparities within Nigerian politics, where female legislators who challenge influential male counterparts or address topics such as sexual harassment frequently encounter criticism instead of institutional support.
Bar Association’s Reaction
The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), under the leadership of President Afam Osigwe (SAN), has called upon the Senate to act in accordance with due process by permitting Akpoti-Uduaghan to resume her legislative responsibilities. President Osigwe emphasised that, given the expiration of the six-month suspension, her reinstatement should proceed irrespective of any ongoing appeal, to safeguard the rights of her constituents.
“First, the suspension was for six months. 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. That is not a good position for the Senate to adopt.”
“The Senate should act honourably and allow her to resume, so that her constituents are not left unrepresented. While the court determines whether the Senate was justified in suspending her, the lapse of six months should allow her to return,” Osigwe said.
