In a letter signed by the Acting Clerk to the National Assembly, the Senate acknowledged receiving notification from Akpoti-Uduaghan regarding her intention to return to plenary. However, it clarified that her suspension remains active and that no administrative action would be taken until the Court of Appeal delivers its verdict on the matter.

The Senate reiterated that the suspension, which began in early March, is tied to a resolution passed following allegations of insubordination. The senator was accused of defying a directive to change her designated seat during a plenary session, an act that led to the recommendation for disciplinary action by the Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions.

As part of the sanction, Akpoti-Uduaghan was stripped of her office privileges, aides, and salaries. She has consistently maintained that the suspension was politically motivated, linking it to her earlier petition accusing the Senate President of sexual harassment, a claim the Senate dismissed as baseless.

Her legal counsel stated that the senator had concluded plans to resume duties, claiming the six-month suspension had elapsed. She is currently out of the country but was expected to return in time for the resumption of plenary later this month.

Despite her claims of securing a court judgment in her favour, the Senate maintains that the matter remains sub judice and cannot be addressed administratively until the judiciary rules conclusively.

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A previous attempt by the senator to access the National Assembly ended in a standoff, with security operatives blocking her entry amid support from a crowd of loyalists.

The Senate has stated it will only review the suspension after the court issues its pronouncement.

Source: Punch