From Victor Osula, Abuja
The Senate on Sunday warned suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (Kogi Central) stop her intention to resume duties on Tuesday until the expiration of her suspension.
Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Senator Yemi Adaramodu stated that the court order she was basing her decision on were invalid
“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 said.
Recall that Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan had on Saturday insisted that she will be back at the Senate on Tuesday after a little over four months since her suspension.
She maintained that her decision was in line with the judgment by Justice Binta Nyako of a Federal High Court in Abuja that asked for her recall from suspension by the Senate.
However, Senate President Godswill Akpabio is appealing that decision, taking it to the Court of Appeal in Abuja.
“I have pretty much two months more before the six months expire. However, I have written to the Senate again telling them that I’m resuming on the 22nd, which is onTuesday, by the special grace of God,” she said, adding that, “I will be there, because the court did make the decision on that. Now, they argue that it’s an order — it’s not an order, but it is a decision,” she said.
Adaramodu said that the Certified True Copy of the Enrolled Order, made no positive or mandatory directive against the Senate regarding her recall.
“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,” he said.
He noted that the same court found Akpoti-Uduaghan guilty of contempt and imposed penalties, including a ₦5m fine payable to the Federal Government and a mandatory apology in two national newspapers and on her Facebook page, a directive that she is yet to comply 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 said, adding that, “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 Senate on March 6 suspended Akpoti-Uduaghan for six months following her allegation of sexual harassment against Senator President, Godswill Akpabio.
According to the Senate, the punishment was for breaching its rules, a decision she challenged at the courts.
