Suspended Kogi Central Senatorial District Legislator in the Nigerian Senate, Senator (Mrs.) Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, says she will resume her legislative duties in the Red Chamber on Tuesday, July 8.
Conversely, the Senate insists her return would come only after she fully complied with the directive of the Federal High Court to issue a formal apology, and that the ruling by Justice Binta Nyako had given no immediate relief for her readmission into the hallowed chamber.
Speaking after the court session, the Senate’s counsel, Paul Dauda SAN, described the ruling as a partial victory for Natasha.
Among other things, Dauda insisted that the court did not order Akpoti Uduaghan’s reinstatement.
“There was no relief granted to lift the suspension.
“What the Judge offered was an observation that the suspension might have been excessive, which is not binding.”
The embattled female lawmaker spoke of her Tuesday date at the Senate while addressing members of her constituents who were celebrating the court order.
Speaking to them, she said: “I thank you for your support. I am glad we are victorious today. We shall resume in the Senate on Tuesday by the grace of God.”
Last Friday, July 4, Justice Anita Nyako of a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja fined Akpoti-Uduaghan the sum of N5 million after finding her guilty of contempt of court over a Facebook post deemed to have violated an earlier court order.
The court also nullified her six-month suspension from the Senate, declaring it excessive, unconstitutional, and an infringement on the rights of her constituents.
However, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Senator Adeyemi Adaramodu, explained that although the court faulted aspects of the process that led to her suspension, it did not remove the Senate’s constitutional power to discipline its members.
Senator Akpoti Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central, was suspended in March for six months over allegations of gross misconduct.
The suspension followed a confrontation with the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, over the chamber’s seating arrangement.
The tension escalated when the lawmaker, during a television appearance, accused Akpabio of suspending her for rejecting his alleged sexual advances.
Akpabio has since denied the accusation.
Justice Nyako, in her ruling, declared parts of the Senate Standing Rules and the Legislative Houses Powers and Privileges Act as overreaching.
She faulted the provisions for failing to specify the maximum suspension period a lawmaker could face.
The court held that while the Senate has the power to sanction its members, such sanctions must not deny constituents their right to representation.
Justice Nyako noted that the Senate is constitutionally required to sit for only 181 days in a legislative year.
She ruled that suspending a Senator for 180 days effectively deprives the affected constituency of participation in national governance.
Speaking to journalists, Senator Adaramodu said the Senate would not act until she complied with the ruling.
“The court did not oust our right to discipline members. In fact, it confirmed that the senator in question erred,” he said.
“The court has directed her to offer restitution. After she does that, the Senate will sit and consider the content of her action before making its next move.”
He added that the responsibility now lies with Akpoti Uduaghan.
Adaramodu said: “The onus is no more on us. It is already on her doorstep to go and apologise.
“Once she does that, then the Senate will sit and determine how to deal with her matter.”
