The Senate has clarified that there is no legal order requiring it to recall Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan before her suspension ends.
Chairman, Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Senator Yemi Adaramodu, made this statement on Sunday in Abuja.
He said it was necessary to address recent claims that Sen. Akpoti-Uduaghan plans to return to the Senate as early as Tuesday, July 22, 2025.
Sen. Akpoti-Uduaghan based her decision to return on a misinterpretation of a recent court ruling by Justice Binta Nyako at the Federal High Court in Abuja.
However, Sen. Adaramodu explained that the Senate had already released two statements about this ruling, making it clear that it did not include any orders for her immediate recall.
The court’s ruling offered a suggestion rather than a command, encouraging the Senate to think about changing its rules and reviewing the length of her suspension, which the court thought might be too harsh.
However, the court also confirmed that the Senate followed the law when it suspended her due to her misconduct.
Additionally, the court found Sen. Akpoti-Uduaghan guilty of contempt and ordered her to pay a fine of N5 million to the federal government, as well as issue an apology in two national newspapers and on her social media.
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She has not complied with the requirements.
Sen. Adaramodu expressed surprise that, despite appealing the court’s decision and asking for a pause on its orders, Sen. Akpoti-Uduaghan is trying to act on a recall order that does not exist. He stressed that there is no valid order for her to return to the Senate right now.
The senator advised her not to attempt to come to the Senate on Tuesday under any pretext, as it would be inappropriate and could disrupt the Senate’s work.
“The Senate is dedicated to following the law and maintaining the integrity of its proceedings.
“In the future, the Senate will consider the court’s suggestion about changing its rules and inform Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan of its decision.
“Until then, she is respectfully asked to stay away from the Senate and let the legal process take its course,” the senator said.
