Senate to Natasha: Keep Off the National Assembly

Once more, the Senate has insisted that no court ruling requires the red chamber to recall Kogi Central senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who is on suspension, and to order her to abstain from attending the UNGA.

In a statement released on Sunday, Senator Yemi Adaramodu, the chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, said as much.

Sen. Akpoti-Uduaghan promised to continue at the National Assembly on Tuesday, and Adaramodu made his announcement after that. During a training session for her Kogi State constituency, the Kogi Central politician made a reference to her choice.
Before the six months are over, I have about two months left, she stated. With God’s special favor, I will resume on Tuesday, the 22nd, as I have written to the Senate once more to inform them.

“Since the court determined that, I will be present. However, they now contend that it is a decision rather than an order.

Adaramodu maintained that the troubled lawmaker, who was suspended for six months in March of last year for violating Senate regulations, did not intend to return because she misunderstood Justice Binta Nyako’s decision.

In his remarks, the Senate spokesman contended that “the honorable court gave a non-binding advice, urging the Senate to consider amending its Standing Orders and reviewing the suspension, which it perceivably might be excessive.” The court did, however, clearly state that the Senate did not violate any laws or constitutional provisions when it imposed the disciplinary sanction in response to the senator’s wrongdoing during plenary.

In order to give due process time to complete, the Senate advised Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan to avoid the National Assembly complex.

“The Federal Republic of Nigeria Senate wishes to reiterate, for the third time, that there is no existing court order requiring the Senate to recall Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan prior to the expiration of her suspension,” the statement states.

Following rumors that the suspended senator plans to return to the Senate on Tuesday, this explanation is required due to a misunderstanding of the most recent ruling rendered by Hon. Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court in Abuja.

Upon the verdict and subsequent dissemination of the certified true copy of the enrolled order, the Senate, through my office, released two public remarks. The verdict did not contain any mandatory or affirmative directive requiring the Senate to recall Senator Akpo­ti-Uduaghan before the conclusion of her suspension, as we made clear in both remarks.

Instead, the honorable court issued a non-binding opinion asking the Senate to change its Standing Orders and reconsider the suspension, which it believed to be disproportionate. However, the court stated unequivocally that the Senate’s imposition of the disciplinary sanction based on the senator’s misconduct during plenary did not violate any laws or portions of the Constitution.

Additionally, the court declared Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan guilty of contempt of court and mandated an apology in two national newspapers and on her Facebook page, along with other penalties, including a N5 million fine payable to the Federal Government. These directives have not been followed up until this point.

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As a result, it is unexpected and illegal for Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan to be trying to implement a fictitious recall order while she is on appeal and has filed an application for a stay of the legally enforceable decisions against her. Once again, the Senate emphasizes that there is no legally binding order requiring her to return to the chamber right away.

In addition to being premature, we advise the distinguished senator to abstain from any attempt to enter the Senate on a false pretense next Tuesday. This would also violate due process and undermine the Senate’s dignity. As an institution dedicated to following the law, the Senate is dedicated to maintaining the integrity of its operations and the rule of law. Its operations will not be allowed to be interrupted.

At the proper time, the Senate will review the court’s advisory opinion regarding her recall and revising the Senate’s Standing Orders, and it will also inform Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan of its findings.

She is respectfully asked to avoid the Senate chambers until that time and give due process time to complete.