Senate President Godswill Akpabio has officially announced the replacement of suspended lawmaker, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, as chairperson of the Senate Committee on Diaspora and Non-Governmental Organisations.

During Thursday’s plenary session, Akpabio named Senator Aniekan Bassey as the new head of the committee, effectively taking over from Akpoti-Uduaghan, whose position had remained uncertain following her suspension.

Earlier in February, Akpoti-Uduaghan was removed from her previous role as chair of the Senate Committee on Local Content and reassigned to the Diaspora and NGOs Committee as part of a minor reshuffle.

Although the Senate has not issued a formal statement explaining her latest removal, it is widely believed to be linked to her unresolved suspension.

A Federal High Court ruling by Justice Binta Nyako had ordered the Senate to reinstate Akpoti-Uduaghan, instructing her to issue a formal apology to the chamber for her actions. However, the Senate has stated it has not yet received a certified true copy of the judgment.

As of now, Akpoti-Uduaghan has yet to tender the required apology.