Senate Warns Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan Against Premature Return Amid Suspension

The Nigerian Senate has cautioned suspended Kogi Central lawmaker, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, against attempting to resume her legislative duties on Tuesday, warning that such a move would be disruptive and unlawful.

In a statement issued on Sunday, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Yemi Adaramodu, emphasized that no court ruling currently mandates her reinstatement. He stated, “There is no subsisting court order mandating the Senate to recall Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan before the expiration of her suspension.”

This follows reports that Akpoti-Uduaghan planned to return to the Senate based on an interpretation of a judgment by Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court in Abuja.

However, Adaramodu clarified that the ruling offered no binding directive. Instead, the court issued an advisory suggesting the Senate might consider reviewing its standing orders and the length of the senator’s suspension, which it described as potentially excessive. Crucially, the court upheld the Senate’s authority to impose disciplinary measures and found no constitutional breach.

Furthermore, the court had ruled against Akpoti-Uduaghan in a contempt case, imposing a N5 million fine and requiring her to publish apologies in two national newspapers and on her Facebook page, a directive she has reportedly failed to fulfill.

The Senate insisted that Akpoti-Uduaghan’s attempt to act on a non-existent recall order was not only baseless but also legally flawed, especially since she has appealed the court’s ruling and filed a motion for stay of execution.

Adaramodu concluded by reaffirming the Senate’s commitment to due process, adding that any decision regarding her reinstatement would be made in line with legislative procedures and communicated accordingly.

Until then, the Senate urged her to stay away from its chambers.