The Senate has said it will not reinstate Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan until it receives and reviews the Certified True Copy (CTC) of the recent court judgment involving her suspension.
Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Senator Yemi Adaramodu, disclosed this in an interview with newsmen on Sunday in Abuja.
Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended on March 6 for six months following a dispute with Senate leadership over a change of seat.
The suspension, recommended by the Senate Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct and Public Petitions, also involved withdrawal of her salary, security, and access to the National Assembly.
A Federal High Court in Abuja, presided over by Justice Binta Nyako, later ordered the Senate to lift the suspension. However, the court also found her in contempt and fined her ₦5 million.
Adaramodu said, “The Senate has applied for the CTC since Monday. Once we receive it, we will review the content and take appropriate action in line with the court’s order.”
He also defended the Senate’s rules and criticised public misunderstanding of legislative processes.
“Without rules, the legislature would descend into chaos. Our Standing Orders exist to preserve order and discipline.”
He said the court reaffirmed the Senate’s authority to create and enforce its own rules, and stressed that sanctions fall within its constitutional remit.
“People expect lawmakers to break rules without consequences, but the Senate has the power to discipline its members.”
Responding to questions on the suspension period, Adaramodu clarified that the 180-day suspension includes non-parliamentary days, as stipulated by Senate rules.
“Whoever is not a legislator cannot fully understand how the legislature works,” he added.
