- The Nigerian Senate has issued a warning to suspended lawmaker Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan from Kogi State.
- The warning advises her against attempting to resume parliamentary duties before her suspension is officially lifted.
- Senator Yemi Adaramodu, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, confirmed there is no legal order mandating her reinstatement at this time.
The Nigerian Senate has warned suspended lawmaker, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan of Kogi State, against attempting to resume her parliamentary duties before her suspension is formally lifted.
In a statement released on Sunday, Senator Yemi Adaramodu, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, stressed that there is no binding legal order instructing the Senate to reinstate Akpoti-Uduaghan at this time.
“For the third time, we reiterate that no court has issued a standing directive requiring the Senate to recall Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan before her suspension ends,” Adaramodu asserted.
This clarification follows reports that Akpoti-Uduaghan plans to return to the Red Chamber on Tuesday, allegedly referencing a ruling by Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court in Abuja.
Adaramodu, however, maintained that the court’s decision merely suggested that the Senate reconsider the suspension period, describing it as potentially excessive, but did not issue a binding directive.
According to him, the judgment acknowledged the Senate’s constitutional authority to discipline members based on their conduct during plenary proceedings.
Furthermore, the Senate disclosed that Akpoti-Uduaghan had been found guilty of contempt of court, fined ₦5 million, and ordered to issue a public apology through two national newspapers as well as her official Facebook page directives she is yet to fulfill.
“It is alarming and without legal basis for Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, who is still under suspension and has filed an appeal, to proceed as though a valid court order exists for her return,” Adaramodu added.
He warned that any attempt by the senator to force her way back into the legislative chamber could disrupt parliamentary proceedings and violate established protocols.
Adaramodu concluded by stating that the Senate will, in due course, review the court’s advisory recommendations regarding its Standing Orders and Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension, and will formally communicate its decision to her.
“In the meantime, she is respectfully urged to refrain from attending Senate sittings until the process has fully run its course,” the statement read.
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