Suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan says she will return to the National Assembly today, even though the Senate insists her suspension is still valid.
Natasha, who represents Kogi Central, was suspended in March for alleged misconduct. But over the weekend, she said a recent court ruling supports her decision to return to her seat.
“I have written to the Senate again telling them that I’m resuming on the 22nd, which is on Tuesday, by the special grace of God. I will be there, because the court did decide on that,” she told journalists during a training event in her constituency.
Although the court did not order her reinstatement directly, Natasha believes the judgment gives her the right to return to work.
“Now, they argue that it’s an order, it’s not an order, but it is a decision,” she added.
Her lawyer, West Idahosa, agreed.
He said, “Attendance is a legislative action. When you say that the plaintiff should go back, you mean that she should go back to work.”
He also said the six-month suspension was too long and unconstitutional.
“You can’t suspend someone for 180 days,” he added.
But the Senate disagrees. It says there is no court order forcing them to recall her.
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Senate spokesperson Yemi Adaramodu said on Sunday that the Senate will not allow Natasha to return until her suspension ends.
“There is no subsisting court order mandating the Senate to recall Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan before the expiration of her suspension,” he said.
He explained that the court only advised the Senate to review its rules and consider reducing the suspension, but did not make it a binding order.
“The court held that the Senate did not breach any law or constitutional provision,” he added.
Adaramodu also pointed out that the same court found Natasha guilty of contempt over a Facebook post that mocked Senate President Godswill Akpabio. She was fined ₦5 million and ordered to apologise in newspapers and on social media, conditions the Senate says she has not met.
“It is legally untenable that Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan is attempting to act upon an imaginary order of recall that does not exist,” Adaramodu warned.
He also said that if Natasha tries to enter the chambers today, the Senate will see it as disruptive behavior.
“The Senate will, at the appropriate time, consider the advisory opinion of the court. Until then, she is respectfully advised to stay away,” he said.
Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court had ruled on Friday that the suspension was “excessive” and “unconstitutional,” but stopped short of ordering the Senate to reinstate her. Instead, the court urged the Senate to review its decision and amend its standing orders.
As of Monday night, it was unclear whether Natasha would attempt to enter the Senate chambers. Her aide, Isah Bala, said, “It is not something I can immediately confirm now,” promising to clarify later.
If Natasha goes ahead with her plan, she may face a police or security blockade at the National Assembly gate.