Security operatives on Tuesday stopped suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan from entering the National Assembly complex, despite her claim that a court judgment had ordered her recall.
The Kogi Central lawmaker, accompanied by supporters and rights activist Aisha Yesufu, arrived at the main gate in a convoy but was denied access by security personnel. The situation led to heated exchanges between her group and security agents stationed at the entrance.
Senator Natasha, who is serving a six-month suspension by the Senate, had vowed to resume legislative duties after obtaining a judgment from the Federal High Court in Abuja, which she said invalidated her suspension.
Addressing journalists at the scene, she said she would consult her legal team and possibly approach the appellate court for clarification on the judgment.
“My suspension is wrong. The recommendation itself is faulty. I’m a law-abiding citizen. I’ll meet with my legal team and most likely proceed to the appellate court to seek interpretation,” she said.
The Senate, however, insists that no valid court order mandates her immediate recall.
Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Senator Yemi Adaramodu, said on Sunday that the chamber remains committed to due process and warned the suspended senator against resuming before her suspension elapses.
“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,” he said.
Senator Adaramodu clarified that the court ruling offered a non-binding advisory urging the Senate to review the suspension and amend its Standing Orders, but did not find the Senate in breach of the law.
He also noted that the court found Senator Natasha guilty of contempt, imposed a ₦5 million fine, and ordered her to publish a public apology — directives he said have not been complied with.
“It is legally untenable that Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, while on appeal and having filed a motion for stay against valid court orders, is acting on an imaginary order of recall that does not exist,” he said.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended on March 6 for alleged misconduct and refusal to comply with the Senate’s seating arrangement during a plenary on February 20. Senate President Godswill Akpabio announced the suspension following a majority vote by senators.
The Senate had said the suspension could be reconsidered if she submitted a written apology — a step yet to be taken.
PIAK