The legislative body has indicated that Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan cannot be reinstated until the Certified True Copy (CTC) of the court’s judgment concerning her case and the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, has been reviewed.
This statement was made by the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Senator Yemi Adaramodu, during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Abuja.
NAN recalls that the Senate had imposed a six-month suspension on Akpoti-Uduaghan on March 6, following allegations of sexual harassment she leveled against Akpabio.
This disciplinary action followed a recommendation from the Senate Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct and Public Petitions, presented by its Chairman, Senator Neda Imasuen (APC-Edo South).
As part of the suspension terms, the senator’s remuneration and security detail were revoked, and she was prohibited from entering the National Assembly premises.
Subsequently, she pursued the matter in the Federal High Court, Abuja Division, where the presiding judge, Justice Binta Nyako, issued an order last week directing the Senate to lift her suspension.
However, the court also found Akpoti-Uduaghan guilty of contempt and imposed a N5 million penalty.
Adaramodu, who also serves as the Senate spokesperson, clarified that the upper legislative chamber had requested the CTC, emphasizing that the Senate would be unable to adopt a stance on the issue until the document was received and examined.
“The Senate submitted a request for the CTC on Monday. We anticipate receiving the document, and upon its arrival, we will adhere to the court order’s directives.
“However, prior to that, the Senate will convene to deliberate on the contents of the CTC, and after reviewing them, we will then determine our position,” he stated.
Adaramodu expressed concern that certain individuals were amplifying the Akpoti-Uduaghan situation due to a limited comprehension of the Senate’s operational procedures.
He suggested that those acting in this manner were simply advocating for the National Assembly to operate as an institution without adherence to rules.
“The Senate, by legal provision, possesses the authority to establish its own governing rules. Without such rules, we would descend into a state of lawlessness.
“If there are no regulations regarding seating arrangements, it would be permissible for me to decide at any moment to occupy the seat designated for the Senate President, simply because he is my colleague, which would inevitably lead to widespread disorder and confusion.
“It was based on the aforementioned principles that the court recently affirmed in the case between Natasha and Akpabio that rules exist and that the Senate is constitutionally vested with the power to create rules that govern its operations.
“This is why we have Standing Orders. The enforcement of these orders means that any individual who violates them can face disciplinary action from the collective body of the Senate,” he explained.
He also conveyed his disappointment that, notwithstanding the court’s ruling, some individuals continued to express dissenting opinions.
“Perhaps their expectation was that any individual could disregard rules, violate any regulation
Spokesperson: Senate’s inability to reinstate Natasha presently
Sponsored Ad