The Senate has cautioned the suspended senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, against attempting to forcibly return to her legislative duties on Tuesday.
The warning was issued in a statement on Sunday by the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Yemi Adaramodu.
Adaramodu maintained that there is no lawful court directive ordering her immediate reinstatement and affirmed that the Senate remains firmly committed to upholding due process and the rule of law.
He 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.”
The clarification came in response to media reports quoting the embattled lawmaker as saying she intended to resume her seat in the Senate on Tuesday, allegedly relying on a judgment delivered by Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court in Abuja.
However, Adaramodu stated that the Senate had already released two public statements following the court’s decision and the issuance of the Certified True Copy of the enrolled order, both of which emphasized that the court did not issue any definitive or binding directive compelling the Senate to reinstate her.
“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.
“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 also pointed out that the same court found Akpoti-Uduaghan in contempt and imposed sanctions, including a N5 million fine payable to the Federal Government, along with an order to publish an apology in two national newspapers and on her Facebook page, a directive she has reportedly failed to comply with.
“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 Senate spokesman added.
He cautioned that any attempt by the suspended lawmaker to forcibly enter the Senate next Tuesday under a false premise would be premature, disruptive, and a violation of legislative protocol.
“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,” the statement concluded.
Discover more from LN247
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Comments are closed.