Again, the Senate has refuted claims by suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan that a court order mandates her immediate reinstatement.
The Upper House insisted that no such directive currently exists.
In a statement issued to journalists yesterday in Abuja, the chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Senator Yemi Adaramodu, clarified that the recent judgment by Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court, Abuja, does not compel the Senate to recall Akpoti-Uduaghan prior to the expiration of her suspension.
“This is the third time we are making it clear: there is no subsisting court order directing the Senate to recall Senator Natasha before her suspension ends,” Adaramodu stated.
The clarification follows reports that Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan plans to resume plenary duties next Tuesday, citing the recent court judgment.
However, the Senate maintains that the ruling merely issued a non-binding advisory suggesting a review of its disciplinary processes and did not invalidate the suspension.
“The Honourable Court only advised the Senate to consider amending its Standing Orders and reviewing the length of the suspension. It did not find any legal or constitutional breach in the Senate’s actions,” the statement added.
The Senate also emphasised that the court found Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan guilty of contempt and ordered her to pay a ₦5 million fine, publish a public apology in two national newspapers, and issue the same on her Facebook page—directives which the Senator has yet to comply with.
According to Adaramodu, any attempt by Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan to re-enter the Senate under a “false pretext” of recall would undermine the Senate’s authority and violate due process.
“The Senate will not tolerate any disruption of its proceedings. It remains committed to the rule of law and the integrity of its internal disciplinary processes,” the statement warned.
The Senate concluded by stating that it will, in due course, deliberate on the court’s advisory recommendations and formally communicate its position to Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan.
Until then, she is urged to avoid the Senate chambers and respect ongoing legal and institutional processes.
