Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who was suspended from the Nigerian Senate after making a sexual harassment claim against the Senate President, was on Tuesday blocked from entering the National Assembly complex in Abuja, despite a court ruling she said allowed her to resume work.

Akpoti-Uduaghan, one of only four female senators in Nigeria’s 109-member upper house, arrived with her convoy but was turned away at the outer gate.

She attempted to proceed on foot but was stopped by security officers at the inner gate. Her attempted return followed a federal high court ruling she believes nullified her suspension.

The senator, who represents Kogi state, was suspended in March after submitting a petition in which she accused Senate President Godswill Akpabio of sexual harassment, an allegation he has denied.

The Senate leadership has maintained that the six-month suspension was due to what it called her “unruly and disruptive” behaviour during a legislative sitting.

Following the court’s decision, Akpoti-Uduaghan insisted on resuming her legislative duties, but Senate President Akpabio has pushed back, arguing that the judiciary cannot interfere with the internal affairs of parliament.

He has since filed an appeal challenging the court ruling, and the appellate court is yet to deliver its verdict.

Speaking to reporters after being denied entry, Akpoti-Uduaghan accused the Senate leadership of defying the court order.

“Akpabio cannot be greater than the Nigerian constitution,” she said. “The office of the senate president does not give me legitimacy. My legitimacy comes from the people of Kogi who voted me in.”

The senator said she would consult her legal team before taking any further steps.

According to the Senate's standing orders, a suspended lawmaker is barred from accessing the parliamentary complex until the suspension period lapses, in this case, September.

Meanwhile, civil society organisations in Nigeria have raised concerns about the treatment of Akpoti-Uduaghan and called for a fair and transparent investigation into her harassment allegations.