“Your return is illegal” – Senate to Natasha
The Nigerian Senate has issued a strong warning to embattled Kogi senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, urging her to refrain from any attempt to resume legislative duties before her suspension officially ends.
Senator Yemi Adaramodu, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, delivered the cautionary statement on Sunday, insisting that there is no valid court order mandating her immediate reinstatement.
“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.
However, Adaramodu emphasized that the judgment in question did not compel the Senate to lift the suspension.
According to him, the court merely offered a non-binding recommendation, advising the Senate to review its rules and reconsider the duration of her suspension, which it deemed possibly excessive.
The court also held that the Senate acted within its constitutional rights in sanctioning the senator over her conduct during plenary.
Additionally, the Senate noted that Akpoti-Uduaghan was found in contempt of court, fined ₦5 million, and ordered to issue a public apology through two national newspapers and her verified Facebook account—orders that she allegedly has yet to comply with.
“It is surprising and legally baseless that Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, despite being under suspension and having appealed the judgment, is attempting to act on a non-existent court order,” Adaramodu said.
He warned that any attempt by the senator to appear at the National Assembly under a “false pretense” would disrupt legislative order and violate protocol.
“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,” the statement concluded.
