Natasha Returns to Senate, Occupies Seat That Sparked Her Suspension
•By Admin
ABUJA – Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan of Kogi Central on Tuesday made a calm return to plenary, resuming duties and occupying the same seat that triggered her suspension earlier in the year.
The senator entered the red chamber around 12 noon, shortly after Senate President Godswill Akpabio took over the session from his deputy, Senator Barau Jibrin, who had presided since about 11:15 a.m.
Mrs. Akpoti-Uduaghan proceeded directly to her assigned seat in the minority section—right side of the sixth row in the seven-row section—without hesitation.
Clad in an elegant white outfit with a matching head tie and dark sunglasses, she was warmly received by colleagues including Senators Seriake Dickson (PDP, Bayelsa West), Ogoshi Onawo (PDP, Nasarawa), Gbenga Daniel (APC, Ogun East), and Samaila Dahuwa (PDP, Bauchi North), who greeted her with handshakes.
As of the time of filing this report, the senator had yet to make any contributions to the ongoing deliberations.
Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended on March 6 for six months following the recommendation of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions. The committee accused her of defying the chamber’s seating arrangement and exhibiting alleged misconduct during the February 20 plenary session, when she protested the reassignment of her seat—an action that disrupted proceedings.
Following the suspension, the Senate withdrew her security aides, locked her office, halted her salary and allowances, and barred her from entering the National Assembly complex.
Her office, located in Suite 2.05 of the Senate Wing, was eventually reopened on September 23 by Alabi Adedeji, Deputy Director of the Sergeant-at-Arms, allowing her to resume official duties later that day.
Although she has now completed her six-month suspension, the matter remains pending before the court.
•INDEPENDENTNG.