The Senate has warned the suspended lawmaker representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, not to forcefully resuming her legislative duties on Tuesday.
The Chairman, Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Yemi Adaramodu, gave the warning in a statement released on Sunday.
Adaramodu insisted that no valid court order mandated her immediate recall. He stressed that the Senate remains committed to due process and the rule of law.
“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 clarification comes after media reports quoted Akpoti-Uduaghan saying she would resume her duties at the Senate on Tuesday, based on a judgment by Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court in Abuja.
Meanwhile, Adaramodu said the Senate had previously released two public statements after the court ruling and the release of the Certified True Copy of the enrolled order, emphasising that no positive or mandatory directive was issued against the Senate in respect to her recall.
“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 further stated that the same court found Akpoti-Uduaghan guilty of contempt and imposed penalties, specifically, a N5m fine payable to the Federal Government and a mandatory apology in two national newspapers and on her Facebook page — a directive she has reportedly not complied 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,” Adaramodu said.
He warned that any attempt by the Akpoti-Uduaghan to “storm the Senate next Tuesday under a false pretext would be premature, disruptive, and a breach of legislative order.
“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 added.
