July 21, 2025
The Senate has cautioned the suspended lawmaker representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, against her plan to forcefully resume her legislative duties come Tuesday July 22.
Chairman, Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Yemi Adaramodu, gave the warning on Sunday.
Adaramodu, insisted that no valid court order mandated her immediate recall, noting that the Senate remained committed to due process and the rule of law.
“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.”
This clarification is coming at the back drop of media reports quoting the embattled lawmaker in nsisting she would return to the Senate on Tuesday, allegedly based on a judgment by Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court in Abuja.
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Adaramodu, emphasized 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 her recall.
“Rather, 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.” Adaramodu maintained.
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The Senate further noted that senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, was yet to comply with the court directive of a N5m fine payable to the Federal Government and a mandatory apology in two national newspapers and on her Facebook page when the same court found ger guilty of contempt.
“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,” the Senate spokesman stated.
He warned that any move by the suspended lawmaker to “storm the Senate on Tuesday under a false pretext would be premature, disruptive, and a breach of legislative order.
He advised senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, to stay away from the Senate chambers and allow due process to run its full course. Stating that “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.
