The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has urged the Senate to act honorably and allow the suspended senator for Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, to resume her duties.
The NBA President, Afam Osigwe (SAN), told The PUNCH on Wednesday that, notwithstanding the fact that the matter is in the courts, Akpoti-Uduaghan should be allowed to return to the Senate now that her suspension time has expired.
Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended on March 6, 2025, after the Senate adopted the findings of its Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions, which ruled that she violated Senate rules by refusing to leave her assigned place during plenary.
The suspension resulted in the loss of her salary, aides, and office privileges.
She contested the suspension in the Federal High Court and then filed an appeal against Justice Binta Nyako’s decision.
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After the suspension period was over, she prepared to resume her job. However, the Senate, in a letter dated September 4 from interim Clerk to the National Assembly Dr. Yahaya Danzaria, notified her that the six-month suspension ordered in March will stay in place until the Court of Appeal rules on her case.
“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.
The NBA, however, insisted that the pending of the suit should not prevent her return.
“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 honorably 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,” the NBA President stated.
