Court judgement: Natasha vows to resume on Tuesday as Senate gives condition to allow her access to chambers

Senator representing Kogi central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has confirmed she will resume her legislative duties in the red chamber on Tuesday.

On March 6, the senate suspended Akpoti-Uduaghan for six months over alleged gross misconduct.

The decision followed the adoption of the report by the committee on ethics, privileges and public petitions after the Kogi senator’s altercation with Senate President Godswill Akpabio.

Akpoti-Uduaghan had filed a suit before the Abuja federal high court seeking to stop the suspension.

Delivering judgment on Friday, Binta Nyako, the presiding judge, affirmed the power of the senate to suspend erring members, including the Kogi senator.

However, the court faulted the duration of her suspension, describing it as “overreaching” and “excessive”.

The judge said the relevant laws of the senate did not define the maximum duration for which a serving lawmaker can be suspended from office.

She held that since lawmakers are constitutionally required to sit for a total of 181 days in each legislative session, the six-month suspension imposed on Akpoti-Uduaghan effectively stripped her of the opportunity to carry out her legislative duties for nearly the entire session.

This, the judge noted, amounted to denying her constituents their right to representation.

“A senator is expected to represent her people,” the judge stated.

“I am of the view that the senate has the power to amend that rule,” Nyako said, adding that the senate “can and should” reconsider recalling the plaintiff back to office.

She also ordered the senator to pay a N5 million fine for violating a court order by publishing a satirical apology to Akpabio on her Facebook page.

Reacting to the court ruling, Akpoti-Uduaghan described the judgment as a victory.

“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,” the senator told her supporters.

Meanwhile, senate spokesperson, Yemi Adaramodu has said the red chamber has not received the certified true copy (CTC) of the federal high court judgment delivered on July 4 in the suit filed by the embattled senator.

In a statement issued on Sunday, Adaramodu said the senate cannot act on the ruling until it receives the full judgment.

“Our legal representatives, who were in attendance at the proceedings, have confirmed that the complete judgment was not read in open court,” the statement reads.

“Consequently, we have formally applied for the CTC to enable a thorough review and informed determination of the appropriate legal response, particularly in view of the uncertainty surrounding whether the court made any direct order nullifying the suspension of senator Akpoti-Uduaghan.”

Adaramodu stressed that no enrolled order of the judgment has been served on any party, noting that “none can enforce any perceived order or relief”.

“Pending receipt and examination of the CTC, and acting on the advice of counsel, the senate shall refrain from taking any steps that may prejudice its legal position,” he added.

“The senate remains committed to upholding the rule of law and will act strictly in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria upon full clarification of the court’s pronouncements.”