Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, a Kogi legislator who was suspended, has been cautioned by the Senate not to return to her legislative responsibilities by force on Tuesday till her suspension is up.
In a statement released on Sunday, Senator Yemi Adaramodu, the chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, issued the warning.
Adaramodu stressed that the Senate is still dedicated to due process and the rule of law, even if she insisted that no legitimate court ruling requires her to be immediately recalled.
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.”
Following media reports claiming that the troubled senator will return to the Senate on Tuesday due to a ruling by Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court in Abuja, the correction was made.
Adaramodu asserted, however, that the Senate had already made two public declarations following the court decision and the publication of the Certified True Copy of the Enrolled Order, making it apparent that no explicit or binding order was issued against the Senate with regard 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 noted that the same court found Akpoti-Uduaghan guilty of contempt and imposed penalties, including a ₦5m fine payable to the Federal Government and a mandatory apology in two national newspapers and on her Facebook page, a directive that has reportedly not been 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,” the Senate spokesman added.
He cautioned that it would be premature, disruptive, and against legislative order for the suspended legislator to “storm the Senate next Tuesday under a false pretext.”
“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.
