The Senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, resumed her legislative duties on Tuesday shortly after regaining access to her office at the National Assembly.
Her return followed the unsealing of her office Suite 2.05 in the Senate Wing by Alabi Adedeji, Deputy Director of the National Assembly’s Sergeant-at-Arms.
Upon resumption, Senator Natasha, who has been on suspension, remained resolute, insisting that she has “no apology to tender.”
She said, “In retrospect, it is actually amazing how much we have had to pay in the past six months, from the unjust suspension to the recall. But we survived the recall, blackmail, and that crazy lady on Facebook
Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension, which lasted six months, stemmed from her protest on February 20 against the reassignment of her seat by Senate President Godswill Akpabio. The Senate leadership accused her of misconduct and barred her from all legislative activities of the 10th Senate.
“I, Alabi Adedeji, Deputy Director, Sergeant-at-Arms, hereby unseal the office. The office is hereby unsealed. Thank you,” he declared.
Upon resumption, Akpoti-Uduaghan, who has been at the center of a protracted standoff with the Senate leadership, maintained her defiance, stressing that she had “no apology to tender.”
The embattled lawmaker was handed a six-month suspension in March, barring her from all activities of the 10th Senate over alleged misconduct during her protest against the reassignment of her seat by Senate President Godswill Akpabio on February 20.
Although her suspension formally lapsed in September, she was unable to return due to legal tussles and resistance from Senate leadership. On July 4, however, the Federal High Court in Abuja ruled that the suspension was excessive and unconstitutional.
Following the judgment, Akpoti-Uduaghan wrote to the Senate notifying it of her intention to resume duties, but the request was rebuffed by the National Assembly.
It remains unclear whether Tuesday’s development fully restores her privileges as a senator or if she will be allowed to participate in plenary when the Senate reconvenes on October 7.
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