The Nigerian Senate says it will not reinstate Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan until it receives the court’s Certified True Copy.
Senate spokesperson Yemi Adaramodu disclosed that the Senate applied for the CTC of the court judgment last Monday.
He emphasized that once the document arrives, the Senate will review it thoroughly before taking an official position.
Sen. Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended on March 6 following sexual harassment allegations made against Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
Her suspension followed recommendations from the Ethics and Public Petitions Committee chaired by Senator Neda Imasuen of Edo South.
As a result, Akpoti-Uduaghan’s salary, security aides, and access to the National Assembly were all revoked.
She challenged the suspension at the Federal High Court in Abuja and won the case last week.
Justice Binta Nyako ordered the Senate to reinstate Natasha, though also fined her ₦5 million for contempt.
Adaramodu said reinstatement must follow the Senate’s internal rules, hence the need to examine the judgment’s CTC carefully.
He warned that without rules, the Senate would descend into chaos, undermining its constitutional responsibility and legislative authority.
He said critics fanning the Akpoti-Uduaghan reinstatement issue lacked full understanding of the Senate’s rules and procedures.
Adaramodu stressed that Standing Orders empower the Senate to discipline members who violate internal parliamentary protocols.
The Senate, he said, operates independently and constitutionally within its legislative remit and disciplinary framework.
He clarified that the 180-day suspension includes non-legislative days and is within Senate’s discretion to define.
He emphasized that only sitting legislators can fully understand the nuances and procedures of parliamentary discipline.
Until the CTC is reviewed, the Senate insists it will not act on Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s reinstatement request.
