Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has returned to the Nigerian Senate today 7th October 2025 after a six-month suspension imposed in March 2025, following months of legal disputes and public controversy.
The Kogi Central lawmaker, who won bail on her own recognizance, resumed her legislative duties this week; her counsel, Victor Giwa, confirmed she would attend Tuesday’s plenary, saying she has fulfilled the conditions of her suspension and has a legal right to be back in the chamber.
Known for her outspoken style, Akpoti-Uduaghan has accused Senate President Godswill Akpabio of running the chamber in an authoritarian manner and refused calls to apologize for her comments.
Her office in the Senate Wing was reopened by the Sergeant-at-Arms last month, signaling her imminent reinstatement.
Her return as the Senate reconvenes has drawn close attention from political observers, reigniting debates about legislative transparency, gender representation and institutional independence. For many, her comeback is seen as both a personal vindication and a broader test of fairness and accountability in Nigeria’s democracy.