The Senate has issued a stern warning to suspended Kogi lawmaker, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, advising her to desist from forcefully resuming legislative duties until the expiration of her suspension.
Click Here to Join Our Whatsapp Channel
The warning was delivered by the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Senator Yemi Adaramodu, in a statement released on Sunday.
Adaramodu clarified that no valid court order currently mandates her recall, stressing that the Senate remains committed to due process and the rule of law.
“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,” the statement read.
He further noted that the court upheld the Senate’s decision, ruling that the disciplinary action taken against her over misconduct during plenary did not violate any constitutional provision.
According to him, the court also found Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan guilty of contempt, imposing penalties including a ₦5 million fine payable to the Federal Government and a mandatory public apology in two national dailies and on her Facebook page — directives that have reportedly not been complied with.
“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 added.
He warned that any attempt by the suspended senator to “storm the Senate next Tuesday under a false pretext” would be considered 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,” the statement concluded.
