The Senate has advised Kogi Central Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan to stay away from its proceedings, stating that the suspended lawmaker cannot resume yet.
In a statement on Sunday, Senate spokesman Yemi Adaramodu emphasised that there was no subsisting court order mandating the Senate to recall Akpoti-Uduaghan before the expiration of her suspension.
Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended in March 2025 for violating Senate rules after a seat arrangement brawl with Senate President Godswill Akpabio, whom she accused of sexual misconduct.
Akpabio denied the allegations. Recently, the suspended lawmaker relied on a judgment delivered by Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court, Abuja, and vowed to resume Senate proceedings on Tuesday, July 22, 2025.
Adaramodu, however argued that the judgment did not contain any positive or mandatory order directing the Senate to recall Akpoti-Uduaghan prior to the end of her suspension.
He said that it was surprising and legally untenable for Akpoti-Uduaghan to attempt to act upon an imaginary order of recall that does not exist.
The Senate emphasised that there was no enforceable order directing her immediate return to the chamber.
The Senate spokesman advised Akpoti-Uduaghan to refrain from attempting to storm the Senate under a false pretext, as doing so would undermine the dignity of the Senate and violate due process.
The Senate is committed to upholding the rule of law and the integrity of its proceedings and will not tolerate the disruption of its proceedings.
“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 run its full course, ” the statement said.
