The Nigerian Senate has issued a strong warning to the suspended senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, cautioning her against any attempt to return to plenary duties before the expiration of her suspension.
This warning came through the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Senator Yemi Adaramodu, who reiterated on Sunday that there is no valid court judgment compelling the Senate to reinstate Akpoti-Uduaghan immediately.
“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,” Adaramodu stated.
His clarification follows media reports quoting Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan as declaring her intention to resume legislative duties on Tuesday, allegedly based on a Federal High Court judgment delivered by Justice Binta Nyako in Abuja.
According to Adaramodu, while the court gave a non-binding advisory suggesting the Senate review the suspension and consider amending its Standing Orders, it did not issue any mandatory directive requiring immediate reinstatement.
“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,” Adaramodu explained. “However, the court explicitly held that the Senate did not breach any law or constitutional provision in imposing the disciplinary measure.”
He also revealed that the same judgment found Akpoti-Uduaghan guilty of contempt of court, resulting in a ₦5 million fine payable to the Federal Government and an order to publish apologies in two national newspapers and on her Facebook page — directives she has allegedly not fulfilled.
“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 move by the suspended senator to enter the National Assembly premises in defiance of her suspension would be considered disruptive and in breach of legislative protocol.
“The Senate will, at the appropriate time, consider the advisory opinion of the court on both amending the Standing Orders and her possible recall, and will duly communicate this to Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan,” he said.
“Until then, she is respectfully advised to stay away from the Senate chambers and allow due process to run its full course.”
Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension reportedly followed alleged misconduct during plenary, although further details of the incident have not been disclosed by the Senate leadership.