The suspended senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has announced that she will return to her legislative duties on Tuesday, following a court judgment that declared her six-month suspension from the Senate unconstitutional and excessive.

In a video shared on social media, which quickly began trending on Sunday, the senator expressed her gratitude to supporters.

“I thank you for your support. I am glad we are victorious today,” she said.

The comment came after a landmark ruling on Friday by Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court in Abuja. The court held that the Senate’s decision to suspend Akpoti-Uduaghan lacked any constitutional basis and that the prolonged suspension violated the rights of her constituents to be represented in the National Assembly. The judge ordered her immediate reinstatement.

However, the court also found the senator in contempt for a satirical Facebook post directed at Senate President Godswill Akpabio, which she had shared during the litigation. The post was deemed a violation of a March 4, 2025, interim injunction that barred all parties involved from commenting publicly or on social media regarding the ongoing suit.

As a result, Akpoti-Uduaghan was fined ₦5 million for the contempt offense.

Her suspension had stemmed from a controversial plenary session in March, during which the chamber descended into chaos over a seating disagreement. The situation escalated in the days that followed when Akpoti-Uduaghan accused Akpabio of sexual harassment in a live television interview, adding further tension to the case.

Justice Nyako, while delivering judgment, stated that the Senate’s disciplinary actions were procedurally flawed and unconstitutional. She stressed that suspensions must not infringe on citizens’ right to democratic representation.

“Lawmakers are required by the constitution to attend at least 181 sitting days in a legislative year,” she said, warning that prolonged suspensions without due process risk undermining the principles of governance.

She also urged the National Assembly to reform its internal disciplinary procedures to ensure fair hearings and compliance with constitutional values.

Akpoti-Uduaghan affirmed her commitment to resuming work immediately.

“We shall resume in the Senate on Tuesday by the grace of God,” she declared.

Her reinstatement marks not just a personal victory but a significant statement on democratic accountability and the boundaries of legislative authority.