Stay Away! Senate warns Natasha

The Senate, Sunday, issued a stern warning to the Senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, not to attempt to force her way into the Senate to resume her legislative duties, until the expiration of her suspension.

The warning came hot on the heels of the declaration by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan that she would resume sitting in the senate from Tuesday. She based her decision to return on a judgment by Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court in Abuja, which she claimed had given her the green light to resume legislative functions.

But giving the warning on Sunday, through a statement, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Senator Yemi Adaramodu, said there was no valid court order that mandates Natasha’s immediate recall. The Senate, Adaramodu insisted, is committed to due process and the rule of law.

His words: “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.”

Adaramodu recalled that the Senate had previously issued two public statements after the court ruling and the release of the Certified True Copy of the Enrolled Order, making it clear that no positive or mandatory directive was issued against the Senate regarding Natasha’s  recall.

“Rather,” Adaramodu continued, “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.”

The Senate further noted that the same court found Akpoti-Uduaghan guilty of contempt and imposed penalties, including a ₦5million fine payable to the Federal Government and a mandatory apology in two national newspapers and on her Facebook page, a directive that has 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.

The Senate spokesman warned that any move by the suspended senator to “storm the Senate next Tuesday under a false pretext” would be 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.