The Senate has cautioned suspended lawmaker, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan of Kogi Central, against attempting to resume legislative duties on Tuesday, warning that doing so would be a violation of her suspension terms.
This warning was issued in a statement on Sunday by Senator Yemi Adaramodu, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs.
Adaramodu emphasized that there is no valid court order mandating her immediate reinstatement. “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 statement read.
The clarification comes amid reports quoting Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan as saying she would return to plenary on Tuesday, citing a judgment by Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court, Abuja.
According to Adaramodu, the court’s ruling did not compel the Senate to lift the suspension but merely gave a non-binding advisory suggesting a possible review, describing the penalty as possibly excessive.
He further noted that the court affirmed the Senate acted within its constitutional powers in suspending the senator for misconduct during plenary.
The Senate also pointed out that the same court found Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan guilty of contempt, imposed a ₦5 million fine, and ordered her to issue a public apology in two national newspapers and on her Facebook page—conditions she has allegedly not fulfilled.
“It is therefore surprising and legally untenable that Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, while still on appeal and having filed a motion for stay of execution, is attempting to act on an imaginary order of recall,” Adaramodu said.
He warned that any attempt to forcefully enter the chamber would be premature, disruptive, and a violation of legislative protocol.
“The Senate will, at the appropriate time, consider the court’s advisory on its Standing Orders and on her recall, and communicate accordingly.
Until then, she is respectfully advised to stay away from the Senate chambers and allow due process to take its course,” the statement concluded.