The Senate has warned suspended Kogi lawmaker, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan to not attempt to forcefully resume her legislative duties on Tuesday.
The Senate recently told the lawmakers to ensure she stays suspended until the expiration of her suspension.
Speaking via a press statement by Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Senator Yemi Adaramodu, said that there is no court order legitimizing the Senate to recall Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan before her suspension expires.
According to him, previous statements by the Senate have clarified that no positive or mandatory directive was issued against the Senate regarding her recall.
He stated that the court only urged the Senate to consider amending its standing orders to review a suspension it considered harsh.
“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,” he wrote.
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,” he said.
He further noted that any attempt by Natasha to storm the Senate on Tuesday would be premature and disruptive.
Senator Yemi Adaramodu concluded by saying that the Senate will decide when she will resume and communicate the decision to her.
“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 added.
