Inibehe Effiong Slams Senate For Blocking Senator Natasha’s Resumption

Human rights lawyer, Inibehe Effiong, has condemned the National Assembly for blocking the return of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan to the Senate chamber despite completing her six-month suspension.

Natasha represents the Kogi Central District in the National Assembly.

Effiong, spoke as a guest on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Tuesday, noting that the Senate’s attempt to block her return citing subjudice, amounts to double jeopardy.

His words, "What is the substance of the appeal? The substance of the appeal relates to the legality and constitutionality of the six months suspension which has now elapsed.

“Because what they are now doing amounts to double jeopardy. (She) has been penalised for a definite period and has served that definite period.” 

Senator Natasha had earlier written to the Senate notifying them of her intended return on September 4, the date she claimed marked the end of her suspension.

However, in a letter by the Acting Clerk to the National Assembly, Yahaya Danzaria, dated September 4, 2025, the Senate acknowledged Akpoti-Uduaghan’s notification, but said she cannot resume yet.

According to Danzaria, her six-month suspension remains in force pending the outcome of a Court of Appeal case instituted against the Senate by Akpoti-Uduaghan, as no administrative action can be taken until the Court of Appeal delivers a verdict.

Danzaria further noted that her suspension took effect on March 6, 2025, even as the matter was still subjudice.

“The matter remains sub judice, and until the judicial process is concluded, no administrative action can be taken to facilitate your resumption,” the letter further stated, pointing out that, the Senate would only review her suspension after the court’s pronouncement.

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

Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended on March 6 following allegations of insubordination following her rejection of a change of her designated seat during plenary.