The Senate has issued a warning to Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central, advising her not to resume legislative duties until her suspension is officially lifted.
Gatekeepers News reports that Senator Natasha had announced on Saturday her intention to return to the Senate on Tuesday, stating that she had already notified the House.
However, in a statement on Sunday, Senator Yemi Adaramodu, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, clarified that no court has ordered the Senate to reinstate her.
He emphasised that the Senate remains committed to upholding due process and the rule of law.
Adaramodu said, “ 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 explained that following the court ruling and the release of the certified true copy of the enrolled order, it became evident that the judgement did not impose any binding directive on the Senate.
He said that instead, the court merely offered an advisory opinion suggesting the Senate consider amending its rules and reviewing the suspension, which it deemed might be excessive.
Adaramodu further noted that the court had also found Akpoti-Uduaghan in contempt and imposed penalties, including a ₦5 million fine to the federal government and a requirement to publish an apology in two national newspapers and on her Facebook page, conditions she is yet to meet.
He said, “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.”
The senator warned that any attempt by Natasha to force her way into the Senate on Tuesday would be regarded as premature, disruptive, and in defiance of legislative procedure.
He added, “The senate will, at the appropriate time, consider the advisory opinion of the court on both amending the standing orders of the senate and 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.”
