Natasha to serve out suspension as Senate goes on recess

Natasha

Two days after Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan was barred from resuming her duties, the Nigerian Senate, on Thursday, adjourned plenary till September 23, 2025, for its annual recess.

With the recess now in effect, the embattled Kogi senator is expected to serve out the remainder of her suspension until plenary resumes.

Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended on March 6, 2025, for six months, following allegations of misconduct and insubordination during plenary on February 20, 2025, when she rejected a change to her designated seat.

The Senate had warned it might revisit her suspension if she failed to issue a formal apology.

The penalty was based on recommendations by the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions, which found her guilty after investigating complaints against her.

The suspension was to last until September 6, 2025. However, with the recess, the embattled lawmaker would serve out her term.

Akpoti-Uduaghan, speaking to journalists on Tuesday after a failed attempt to enter the Senate chamber, described the Senate’s action as contemptuous and said she would seek legal redress at the appellate level.

“Even the suspension ab initio was fraudulent—the document was faulty,” she said.

“Going forward, I will have a meeting with my legal team so they can proceed to the appellate court to seek interpretation of what just happened. I am a law-abiding citizen.”

She also accused Senate President Akpabio of acting beyond his authority.

With the recess, however, the Senate would not reconvene until she had served out the full suspension slammed on her by the Red Chamber.

Announcing the break on the floor, Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, said the decision was based on “chamber reciprocity,” noting that the House of Representatives had already proceeded on recess in line with the legislative calendar.