Daniel Otera
The Nigerian Senate has cautioned suspended Kogi Central senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, against any attempt to resume legislative duties prematurely, insisting that her suspension remains valid and binding until due process is concluded.
In a statement released on Sunday, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Senator Yemi Adaramodu, clarified that there is no existing court order directing the Senate to recall the embattled lawmaker.
“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,” Adaramodu stated.
His comments followed reports that Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan had indicated plans to return to the red chamber on Tuesday, citing a judgment delivered by Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court, Abuja.
But Adaramodu explained that the court ruling did not compel the Senate to lift her suspension. Instead, he said the judge merely offered a non-binding advisory, suggesting a possible review of the Senate’s disciplinary procedures.
“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,” he noted.
He also emphasised that the court had upheld the Senate’s constitutional authority to discipline its members and had not found any legal fault in the process leading to her suspension.
“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,” Adaramodu added.
The Senate further drew attention to a contempt finding issued by the same court against Akpoti-Uduaghan, which included a ₦5 million fine payable to the Federal Government and a mandatory public apology in two national newspapers and on her verified Facebook page conditions the Senate claims have not yet been met.
“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,” Adaramodu warned.
He described any attempt by the senator to force her way back into the chamber as “premature, disruptive, and a breach of legislative order.”
“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,” he concluded.
Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended earlier this year over alleged disorderly conduct on the floor of the Senate. Her case has since drawn widespread media attention and public debate, particularly around legislative discipline and the limits of judicial intervention in parliamentary affairs.