The leadership of the Senate has ordered the unsealing of the office of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, months after her controversial suspension.
In a video shared with journalists on Tuesday, Deputy Director, Sergeant-at-Arms, Alabi Adedeji, confirmed the directive from the Senate leadership, saying:
“I, Alabi Adedeji, Deputy Director, Sergeant-at-Arms, National Assembly, having been directed to unseal the office of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, hereby unseal the office.”
When contacted, Senate spokesperson, Yemi Adaramodu, declined to provide further details, stating only, “If something was sealed before and now unsealed, it means it has been unsealed.” Attempts to get more clarification were unsuccessful.
Sources within the National Assembly revealed that the decision followed mounting pressure from within and outside the Senate to allow Natasha to resume her legislative duties after the expiration of her six-month suspension in September.
Principal officers had met on Monday but were silent on the resolutions reached. Insiders confirmed that senators were divided — with some pushing for her immediate reinstatement, others demanding an apology as a condition for resumption, and a third group proposing an extension of her suspension pending a judicial pronouncement on the case before the Court of Appeal.
Despite Senate rules forbidding debate on matters considered sub judice, several senators have urged the leadership to suspend the rule to resolve the stalemate.
The suspension of Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan in March 2025 has sparked legal battles and public outcry, with the Federal High Court describing it as “excessive.”
Critics argue that her prolonged exclusion amounts to the disenfranchisement of Kogi Central constituents.
Prominent legal scholars, including Prof. Mike Ozekhome (SAN) and Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa (SAN), have condemned the continued delay, calling it unconstitutional.
Ozekhome described the action as “an affront to representative democracy,” arguing that “you cannot punish a constituency because of a legislator.”
The Senate has maintained that the suspension was for gross misconduct and violation of Senate rules, including defying the Committee on Ethics and Privileges, and not related to her sexual harassment allegations against Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
Civil society groups, women’s rights activists, and legal advocates have continued to demand her reinstatement and an independent probe into her allegations, warning that the Senate’s stance undermines due process and democratic representation.
Political observers warn that how the Senate resolves the matter will have far-reaching implications for legislative accountability, the rule of law, and the rights of constituencies to be represented in parliament.
Whether through a fresh motion on the floor or a final judgment from the Court of Appeal, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s fate remains one of the most closely watched political issues in Nigeria’s legislature.
