UPDATED: SENATOR NATASHA DENIED ENTRY INTO NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
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UTHMAN ALIYU
The legislator currently undergoing a six-month suspension from the upper legislative body has pledged to return to the NASS chambers following a court ruling directing the Senate to reinstate her.
Nevertheless, when she tried to proceed, her escort was halted, preventing her access to the premise
Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who was inside a black car, was stopped from entering the National Assembly. The car in front of her, carrying activist Aisha Yesufu, was also stopped from entering the National Assembly.
However, subsequently, she exited her vehicle and advanced into the National Assembly on foot, accompanied by several advocates.
They later left with the lawmaker expressing displeasure over the move. The Kogi lawmaker said she will consult her legal team to know the next steps. She vowed to resume once the Senate – expected to go for a two-month recess – resumes.
The previous week, the legislator pledged to return to her duties following a court’s request for the Senate to reinstate her.
On March 6, the Senate mandated a six-month suspension for Akpoti-Uduaghan due to violations of its regulations. Her suspension coincided with her assertions of sexual harassment against Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
The Kogi lawmaker challenged the matter in court, saying her suspension was illegal. A few weeks ago, the Federal High Court in Abuja asked the Senate to recall her from the suspension. However, the senate president has appealed the decision.
On Saturday, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan vowed to resume sitting on Tuesday, citing the court judgement.
“I have pretty much two months more before the six months expire. However, 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,” she said during an empowerment programme in her Ihima hometown of Kogi.
“I will be there, because the court did make the decision on that. Now, they argue that it’s an order — it’s not an order, but it is a decision.”
Following her comment, the Senate spokesman, Yemi Adaramodu, insisted that there was no subsisting court order mandating the lawmakers to recall her before the expiration of the suspension.
“We advise the Distinguished Senator to refrain from any attempt to storm the Senate next Tuesday under a false pretext, as doing so would not only be premature but also undermine the dignity of the Senate and violate due process. The Senate, as a law-abiding institution, is committed to upholding the rule of law and the integrity of its proceedings. It will not tolerate the disruption of its proceedings,” Adaramodu said.
“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 the same thereof to Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan. Until then, she is respectfully advised to stay away from the Senate chambers and allow due process to run its full course.”
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