THE Clerk to the National Assembly (NASS), Kamorudeen Ogunlana, has clarified that his office does not have the authority to reinstate suspended Kogi Central senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, to her legislative duties.
In a statement issued today, the Director of Information, Bullah Audu Bi-Allah, Ogunlana explained that the clerk’s office functions strictly as an administrative arm, tasked with supporting the Senate in line with its resolutions, standing orders, and the 1999 Constitution.
“The Clerk does not possess the authority to review, reverse, or interpret Senate decisions,” the statement noted, stressing that the power to determine whether Akpoti-Uduaghan can resume her duties lies solely with the Senate.
Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended on March 6 for six months over alleged “gross misconduct.”
Though she challenged the decision in court, Bi-Allah pointed out that the Federal High Court did not invalidate the suspension, and no binding order has been issued to overturn the Senate’s resolution.
On September 4, the senator wrote to the clerk’s office expressing her intention to resume duties.
The letter was forwarded to Senate leadership, which maintained that the matter remains before the Court of Appeal.
The clerk’s office expressed concern over a letter from Akpoti-Uduaghan’s lawyers accusing him of overreach and threatening legal action.
However, Bi-Allah insisted that Ogunlana has acted within his legal limits and in strict observance of due process.
He emphasized that any reinstatement requires either a fresh Senate resolution or a definitive court order, not the clerk’s discretion.
“The Office of the Clerk remains guided by the principles of constitutionalism, institutional respect, and the rule of law. The public is urged to be patient and allow the Senate and the courts to discharge their constitutional responsibilities,” the statement concluded.