This caution was conveyed in a statement on Sunday by the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Senator Yemi Adaramodu. The statement comes on the heels of reports suggesting that the embattled senator plans to return to plenary on Tuesday, citing a judgment delivered by Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court in Abuja.
Senator Adaramodu clarified that the court did not issue any binding order instructing the Senate to recall Akpoti-Uduaghan before the lawful expiration of her suspension. “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 stated.
According to the Senate, the judgement merely offered a non-binding advisory urging the Senate to consider a review of its Standing Orders and evaluate whether the suspension could be considered excessive. However, the court also upheld the Senate’s right to discipline members and confirmed that no laws were violated in the process leading to Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension for misconduct during plenary.
Furthermore, the Senate revealed
that the Federal High Court found the senator in contempt, ordering her to pay a ₦5 million fine to the Federal Government and publish a formal apology in two national newspapers and on her official Facebook page—actions that have reportedly not yet been fulfilled.Adaramodu described her anticipated return as “legally untenable,” pointing out that the senator, while currently appealing the judgment and filing a motion for stay, cannot simultaneously act as though a valid reinstatement order exists.
“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,” he added.
The Senate warned that any move by Akpoti-Uduaghan to forcibly enter the Senate chambers would be considered premature and disruptive. “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.”
In the interim, she has been advised to respect the legislative process and allow due course to take its natural path. “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.
