Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central Senatorial District, has announced that she will resume legislative duties at the National Assembly on Tuesday, July 22.

The declaration was made despite a recent Federal High Court ruling that termed her six-month suspension from the Senate as ‘excessive’.

The embattled senator was suspended on March 6, 2025. The Senate leadership accused her of violating its Standing Orders by speaking without recognition, refusing to take her designated seat, and allegedly engaging in what it described as “unruly and disruptive conduct.”

The Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions, which investigated the matter, recommended her suspension.

However, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan and her supporters contended that the suspension was politically motivated and a direct response to her earlier accusation of sexual harassment against Senate President Godswill Akpabio. The senator maintained that her disciplinary action was an act of intimidation aimed at silencing her, especially as one of the few outspoken female lawmakers in the chamber.

Following her suspension, Akpoti-Uduaghan approached the Federal High Court in Abuja to challenge the decision. In a judgment delivered on July 4, 2025, Justice Binta Nyako ruled that the suspension was excessive and lacked any legal justification.

Despite the ruling, Senate President Godswill Akpabio filed a notice of appeal on July 14, seeking to overturn the High Court’s decision. The appeal, filed at the Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal, contains 11 grounds of appeal and stems from suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/384/2025. The appeal is yet to halt the effect of the initial ruling.

Speaking at a youth empowerment event in her constituency on Saturday, Akpoti-Uduaghan said she will return to her legislative duties in accordance with the court’s decision.

“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,” she said.

“I will be there, because the court did make the decision on that. Now, they argue that it’s an order — it’s not an order, but it is a decision.”

She emphasized that while her suspension limited her ability to participate in plenary activities and introduce bills or motions, she remained actively involved in representing her constituents throughout the period.

“I did mention that every senator has three major functions. Legislative — which is the creation of laws and review of treaties. Then we have oversight — which is to oversee ministers and agencies. And then the third is representation — which I’m doing,” she explained.

“Whereby I identify the problems and the challenges of my community, and I make sure I present them and have them captured in the federal budget. And I have done pretty well with that. Of course, I do miss putting up my bills there, but it didn’t stop me from working.”