Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, has been denied entry into the National Assembly.
The beleaguered lawmaker, who was prevented from entering into the Assembly building on Tuesday, has been serving a six-month suspension handed down by the Senate.
Only recently, she had vowed to resume her legislative duties after she secured a court judgment which the leadership of the Red Chamber had insisted did not amount to an order for her recall.
According to reports, security personnel stationed at the main gate stopped Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s convoy from going inside the building .
In the ensuing stand-off, the Kogi lawmaker, along with her supporters, exchanged heated arguments with detailed security operatives at the Assembly gate.
Aisha Yesufu, a renowned Human rights activist, who arrived ahead of Senator Natasha, was also stopped at the barricade.
The atmosphere grew tense, with security officials reinforcing their blockade to prevent a breach.
Speaking with newsmen at the scene of the incidence, Senator Natasha vowed to continue her fight until the “injustice and persecution” being meted against her ended.
She promised to consult her legal team, possibly to purse the latest development at the appelate court to seek an interpretation to it.
“My suspension is wrong,, the recommendation itself is faulty. So going forward, I’m going to have meeting with my legal team and most likely proceed to apelete court to seek interpretation to just what happened. I’m a law abiding citizen’ she said.
Last week, the lawmaker who is serving a six-month suspension by the upper lawmaking body had vowed to resume sitting after a court asked the Senate to recall her.
The Senate had warned the suspended Kogi lawmaker to desist from forcefully resuming on Tuesday until the expiration of her suspension.
Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Senator Yemi Adaramodu gave the warning in a statement issued on Sunday.
Senator Adaramodu emphasised that the Senate remains committed to due process and the rule of law.
“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.
The clarification followed media reports quoting the embattled lawmaker as saying she would return to the Senate on Tuesday, allegedly based on a judgment by Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court in Abuja.
However, Senator Adaramodu said the Upper Chamber had previously issued two public statements after the court ruling and the release of the Certified True Copy of the Enrolled Order, making it clear that no positive or mandatory directive was issued against the Senate regarding her recall.
“Rather, the Honourable Court gave a non-binding advisory urging the Senate to consider amending its Standing Orders and reviewing the suspension, which it opined might be excessive.
“The Court, however, explicitly held that the Senate did not breach any law or constitutional provision in imposing the disciplinary measure based on the Senator’s misconduct during plenary,” he said.
The Senate further noted that the same court found Akpoti-Uduaghan guilty of contempt and imposed penalties, including a ₦5m fine payable to the Federal Government and a mandatory apology in two national newspapers and on her Facebook page, a directive that has reportedly not been complied with.
“It is therefore surprising and legally untenable that Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, while on appeal and having filed a motion for stay against the valid and binding orders made against her, is attempting to act upon an imaginary order of recall that does not exist,” the Senate spokesman added.
“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,” the statement concluded.
The Senate on Thursday, March 6 suspended Kogi Central Senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, for six months over alleged misconduct and refusal to comply with the chamber’s sitting arrangement during the plenary session on 20 February.
The upper chamber, however, said if Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan submits a written apology, the leadership of the chamber may consider lifting the suspension before the six-month period expires.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio announced the suspension of the Kogi Senator after it was supported by a majority of the lawmakers during the plenary.
The controversy began when Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan refused to occupy her new seat because it was done without her consent and she believed the action violated her privileges.