‘Stay Away’ – Senate Warns Senator Natasha

The Nigerian Senate has once more cautioned the suspended Kogi Central senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, to avoid entering the National Assembly premises, maintaining that no legally binding court order exists to compel her reinstatement.

This renewed warning followed Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s assertion on Saturday, July 19, that she would resume plenary duties on Tuesday, July 22, referencing a recent Federal High Court judgment issued by Justice Binta Nyako in Abuja.

In a response issued on Sunday, July 20, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Senator Yemi Adaramodu, refuted the Kogi Central Senator’s claim, clarifying that the court only provided an “advisory opinion” rather than a mandatory directive to the upper legislative chamber.

“The Senate 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.

According to the Senate spokesperson, Justice Nyako’s ruling merely suggested that the Senate consider revising its Standing Orders and potentially reassessing the suspension, which the court deemed “might be excessive.”

He stressed that the court also ruled that the Senate had not breached any legal or constitutional provisions in its decision to suspend Akpoti-Uduaghan.

“Rather than issuing any mandatory order for her recall, the Honourable Court gave an advisory,” Adaramodu stressed. “It also found Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan guilty of contempt of court and imposed a ₦5 million fine, along with a directive to issue a public apology in two national dailies and on her Facebook page. These directives remain unfulfilled.”

He warned that any attempt by the suspended senator to forcibly enter the chamber by “misinterpreting” the court ruling would be regarded as a violation of legislative order and an insult to the institution’s authority.

“The Senate emphasises once more: there is no enforceable order directing her immediate return to the chamber. The Senate will consider the court’s advisory at the appropriate time and communicate its decision accordingly,” he said.

Until such a decision is made, the Senate urged Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan to respect legislative procedures and refrain from entering the chambers.

“She must allow due process to run its full course,” Adaramodu advised.

A Gentle Reminder: Every obstacle is a stepping stone, every morning; a chance to go again, and those little steps take you closer to your dream.

Nnamdi Okoli