Abuja: The Senate has reiterated that there is no existing court order compelling it to recall Sen. Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan before the conclusion of her suspension. Sen. Yemi Adaramodu, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, made this statement in Abuja, emphasizing the need for clarity following claims from the suspended senator regarding her intention to return to the Senate.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the clarification was deemed necessary after Sen. Akpoti-Uduaghan's assertion that she would resume her duties, allegedly based on a misinterpretation of a judgment by Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court in Abuja. Adaramodu pointed out that the Senate had previously issued two public statements, stressing that the court's judgment did not mandate the Senate to recall the senator before her suspension's conclusion.
Adaramodu explained that the court offered a non-binding advisory, suggesting that the Senate consider amending its Standing Orders and reassessing the suspension, which it deemed potentially excessive. However, the court affirmed that the Senate acted within legal and constitutional boundaries when disciplining the senator for her misconduct during a plenary session.
Furthermore, the court found Sen. Akpoti-Uduaghan guilty of contempt and imposed penalties, including a N5 million fine to the Federal Government and a mandatory public apology in two national newspapers and on her Facebook page. Adaramodu noted that these directives remain unfulfilled, making the senator's attempts to return to the Senate legally indefensible.
Adaramodu emphasized the absence of any enforceable order for her immediate return and advised Sen. Akpoti-Uduaghan against attempting to re-enter the Senate under false pretenses, warning that such actions would undermine the Senate's dignity and violate due process. The Senate remains committed to observing the rule of law and maintaining the integrity of its proceedings.
Adaramodu concluded by stating that the Senate will, at an appropriate time, consider the court's advisory on modifying its standing orders and the senator's recall, and will communicate any decisions to Sen. Akpoti-Uduaghan. Until then, she is advised to respect the Senate's procedures and allow due process to take its course.