Abuja: The office of Sen. Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has been unsealed by authorities of the National Assembly. The Deputy Director, Sergeant At Arms, Mr. Alabi Adedeji, unsealed the office on September 23.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Adedeji, in a video obtained by the agency, stated, “I hereby unseal the office of Sen. Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.” This development allows the Kogi-Central Senator to resume her legislative duties when the Senate reconvenes for plenary.
NAN reports that following the unsealing of the office with number 2.05, National Assembly cleaners immediately began cleaning and fumigating the office in preparation for the resumption of the PDP Kogi-Central lawmaker. The court had previously described her six-month suspension as excessive.
Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended on March 6 over alleged misconduct and violation of Senate Standing Rules, after protesting the reassignment of her seating position. Despite the suspension’s expiration, she had not been able to resume her duties until now.
The unsealing of her office marks the end of her lack of access to the National Assembly complex, signaling her ability to resume her legislative duties of representation, law-making, and oversight.
Meanwhile, authorities of the National Assembly have rescheduled the resumption of plenary activities to October 7. Clerk to the National Assembly, Mr. Kamoru Ogunlana, disclosed this in a statement made available to NAN. Ogunlana stated, “I am directed by the presiding officers of both chambers of the National Assembly of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to inform all members of the National Assembly and the general public that the resumption date of the National Assembly earlier scheduled for Tuesday, September 23, is postponed to Tuesday, October 7. However, committee activities continue; all distinguished senators and honourable members are requested to take note of the new date and adjust their schedules accordingly. Any inconvenience caused by this rescheduling is deeply regretted.”