The Senate has warned suspended lawmaker representing Kogi central, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, to stay away from the legislative chambers on Tuesday until the expiration of her suspension.
Naijaonpoint reports that the warning follows the statement by the embattled lawmaker, who said she would return to the Senate on Tuesday, based on a judgment by Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court in Abuja.
However, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Senator Yemi Adaramodu, in a statement issued on Sunday, stated that no valid court order mandates Natasha’s immediate recall.
Adaramodu emphasised that the Senate remains committed to due process and the rule of law, warning that any move by Natasha to “storm the Senate next Tuesday under a false pretext” would be premature, disruptive, and a breach of legislative order.
He also stated that the Senate had previously issued two public statements following the court ruling and the release of the Certified True Copy of the Enrolled Order, clarifying that no positive or mandatory directive had been issued against the Senate regarding Natasha’s recall.
Adaramodu further noted that the same court found Akpoti-Uduaghan guilty of contempt and imposed penalties, including a ₦5 million 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.
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.
“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.
“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 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.”