The Senate has cautioned suspended Kogi Central lawmaker, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, against attempting to resume legislative duties on Tuesday, insisting her suspension remains in effect.
In a statement released on Sunday, July 20, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Senator Yemi Adaramodu, stated that there is no existing court order requiring her immediate recall.
“The Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria wishes to reaffirm, for the third time, that there is no subsisting court order mandating the Senate to recall Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan before the expiration of her suspension,” he said.
The warning came after media reports quoted Akpoti-Uduaghan saying she intended to return to the Senate on Tuesday, allegedly relying on a judgment delivered by Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court, Abuja.
Adaramodu, however, explained that following the release of the Certified True Copy of the court’s Enrolled Order, the Senate had issued two public statements clarifying that the ruling did not contain any binding directive compelling her reinstatement.
“Rather, the Honourable Court gave a non-binding advisory urging the Senate to consider amending its Standing Orders and reviewing the suspension, which it opined might be excessive.
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“The Court, however, explicitly held that the Senate did not breach any law or constitutional provision in imposing the disciplinary measure based on the Senator’s misconduct during plenary,” he said.
The Senate further highlighted that the same court found Akpoti-Uduaghan in contempt, imposing a ₦5 million fine payable to the Federal Government and directing her to issue an apology in two national dailies and on her Facebook page, a directive that remains unfulfilled.
“It is therefore surprising and legally untenable that Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, while on appeal and having filed a motion for stay against the valid and binding orders made against her, is attempting to act upon an imaginary order of recall that does not exist,” Adaramodu added.
He warned that any attempt by the lawmaker to return to the chamber on Tuesday would be considered premature and disruptive.
“The Senate will, at the appropriate time, consider the advisory opinion of the court on both amending the Standing Orders of the Senate, her recall, and communicate the same thereof to Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan.
“Until then, she is respectfully advised to stay away from the Senate chambers and allow due process to run its full course,” he concluded.