NASS Standoff: Natasha Set to Face Police Blockade Today

NASS Standoff: Natasha Set to Face Police Blockade Today

Suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan is expected to make a return to plenary today, despite firm warnings from the Senate that her suspension remains valid and in effect.

The Kogi Central lawmaker, who was suspended in March, disclosed over the weekend that she had officially informed the Senate of her plan to resume duties, citing a recent court ruling in her favour.

“I still have about two months left before the six-month suspension ends. However, I’ve written to the Senate again, stating that I will be resuming on the 22nd, which is Tuesday, by the special grace of God,” she said during a constituency training event.

“I’ll be present because the court made a ruling on the matter. Whether they claim it’s an order or not, it is still a judicial decision,” she added.

Akpoti-Uduaghan insisted that while her suspension did not stop her from executing constituency projects, it had obstructed her ability to carry out vital legislative functions like sponsoring bills and moving motions.

Backing her stance, her lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, West Idahosa, maintained that the court judgment justified her return.

“Let me be honest with you. Attendance is a legislative action. As far as we are concerned, we are focused on the appeal and other issues before the court. I think the decision to go back to the Senate will be determined by the constituents,” he said in a phone interview.

“The suspension was overreaching the provisions of the constitution. I mean, that was clearly stated there. When you say that the plaintiff should go back, you mean that she should go back to work. I think that is more or less an order, notwithstanding the fact that we didn’t really like the conviction concerning the judgment, which we have come to accept.

“Now that she said she wants to go and resume, let us see what the reaction of the Senate will be.

But the most important thing is that she is still a senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and the judgment has come to an end. Remember also that the judgment said you can’t suspend someone for 180 days.”

Her aide, Isah Bala, remained uncertain when contacted on Monday about her exact plan.

“It is not something I can immediately confirm now because we just returned from a programme in Okene,” he said, promising to clarify later. As of press time, he had yet to respond to further inquiries.

Meanwhile, the Senate says it stands by its earlier decision to bar the senator from the chamber until the expiration of her suspension.

Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Yemi Adaramodu, on Sunday, reaffirmed the Senate’s position, warning that there was no legal directive compelling her immediate recall.

“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,” Adaramodu stated.

He explained that the Federal High Court ruling delivered by Justice Binta Nyako did not issue a binding order directing the Senate to reinstate the suspended lawmaker.

“Rather, the 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,” he clarified.

Adaramodu further pointed out that the same court found Akpoti-Uduaghan guilty of contempt over a Facebook post deemed to have violated an earlier court order, imposing a N5m fine and ordering her to issue a public apology in two national dailies and on social media — conditions the Senate claims are yet to be met.

“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.

He warned that any attempt by the suspended lawmaker to enter the chambers today “under a false pretext” would be considered disruptive and a violation of legislative order.

“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 same thereof to Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan.

“Until then, she is respectfully advised to stay away from the Senate chambers and allow due process to take its full course,” the statement concluded.

On Friday, Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court in Abuja ruled that the Senate’s six-month suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan was excessive, unconstitutional, and a violation of her constituents’ rights. However, the court also imposed a N5 million fine on the senator for contempt, following a satirical Facebook post directed at Senate President Godswill Akpabio—an act deemed to have breached an earlier court order prohibiting public commentary on the case.

While the court stopped short of ordering her immediate reinstatement, it urged the Senate to reconsider its internal regulations and advised a review of the suspension’s length.

Despite the ruling, the Senate maintains it will not take further action until it has received and thoroughly examined the Certified True Copy of the judgment.

As both sides remain firmly entrenched, attention now turns to the Senate chambers, where the standoff is shaping up to be a critical test of legislative authority versus judicial oversight.