It is now certain that Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan will serve out her full six months of suspension after the Nigerian Senate began its annual recess on Thursday to resume on September 23, 2025.
The embattled senator had been fighting to be reinstated since she was sent on suspension on March 6, 2025.
The Senate leadership accused her of insubordination after she engaged in a shouting match with the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, over the reassignment of her seat.
Senator Natasha had accused the Senate President of victimising her after her seat was changed and she was moved from her committee chairmanship position in one committee to another committee.
She later accused Akpabio of trying to sleep with her without success, claiming that this was why he was victimising her.
The Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions later reviewed her action on February 20, 2025, when she protested her change of seat.
The committee found her guilty of insubordination and misconduct and recommended a six-month suspension for her.
The Senate Leadership approved the suspension, leading Senator Natasha to begin a relentless campaign to restore her to the chamber.
Natasha was to remain suspended till September 6, 2025.
She has taken her case to many international bodies, including the Inter-Parliamentary Union, accusing Akpabio of using state powers to oppress her because she protested his sexual harassment.
She later went to court, where she obtained a directive that she should be considered for reinstatement in the interest of her constituents.
Justice Fatimat Binta Nyako also asked Natasha to apologise for her sarcastic apology to Senator Akpabio.
She was also ordered to pay a fine of N5 million and place apology adverts in two national newspapers.
Acting on the directive from the court, the embattled Kogi senator attempted to resume at the Senate on Tuesday, but was barred from entering.
With the recess now in place, the senator will have to serve out the remainder of her suspension before the Senate resumes on September 23.
Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, announced on Thursday that the recess was called based on “chamber reciprocity.”
The House of Representatives had previously proceeded on break in line with the legislative calendar.
He announced that while plenary would not hold, committee assignments should continue.
Meanwhile, Senator Natasha is believed to have travelled to the United Kingdom.
