The Nigerian Senate has maintained that Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan cannot resume her legislative duties until the Court of Appeal delivers judgment on her suspension.

In a letter dated September 4, 2025, and signed by the Acting Clerk to the National Assembly, Dr. Yahaya Danzaria, the upper chamber acknowledged receiving Akpoti-Uduaghan’s notice of intention to return on the same date, which she claimed marked the end of her six-month suspension.

However, the Senate insisted that the suspension, which began on March 6, 2025, remains in effect pending the outcome of her legal challenge.

“The matter remains sub judice, and until the judicial process is concluded, no administrative action can be taken to facilitate your resumption,” Danzaria wrote.

He further explained that the Senate would only review the case after the Court of Appeal issues its pronouncement.

Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), was suspended following allegations of insubordination after rejecting a change of her designated seat during plenary. The sanction, recommended by the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions, also stripped her of aides, office privileges, and salaries.

The lawmaker has consistently argued that her suspension was politically motivated, linking it to her petition accusing Senate President Godswill Akpabio of sexual harassment an allegation the Senate dismissed.

Earlier this year, she secured a court ruling which she said favoured her reinstatement.

However, attempts to resume were resisted by National Assembly security operatives, who barred her entry in July despite the presence of her supporters.

The Senate’s latest position underscores the continued standoff, with her fate now tied to the Court of Appeal’s final decision.