Natasha and Akpabio

The Senate has given conditions for the reinstatement of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.

A Federal High Court in Abuja nullified the six-month suspension slammed on the lawmaker.

The presiding judge, Binta Nyako, in a judgement delivered on Friday, ordered the Senate to reinstate the Kogi Central senator.

She described the suspension as excessive and overreaching.

“The court is not saying that the Senate lacks the power to sanction a member. However, such sanctions must not negate the constitutional right of constituents to be represented in parliament,” Mrs Nyako ruled.

But reacting to the judgement, the Senate spokesperson, Yemi Adaramodu, said the Red Chamber would not immediately reinstate the embattled senator.

Mr Adaramodu stated that the court judgement did not override the Senate’s constitutional powers to discipline its members.

“Which judgement are we appealing when they [the court] said the Senate has the right to discipline its erring members? The court has not ousted the Senate’s statutory right to punish any erring senator.

“It was established that the senator in question erred. The court has already told her to go and do some things, like restitution, so after the restitution, the Senate will now sit again and consider the content of that restitution, and that will inform our next line of action,” Mr Adaramodu said.

According to him, the upper chamber would only reconvene to deliberate on the matter after the embattled lawmaker offered an apology to the Senate.

“The onus is no more on us now; it is already on her doorstep to go and apologise. Once she does that, then the Senate will sit and determine how to deal with her matter.

“The first reaction now will not be from us, the court has ruled, so once she takes the step to redress and does what the court has directed her to do, then the Senate will sit and look at the content of her reaction as prescribed by the court,” Mr Adaramodu added.

For Advert, Event Coverage/Press Conference Invite, Story/Article Publication & Other Media Services
Contact Us On WhatsApp
Send Email To: citizennewsng@gmail.com
Visit Citizen NewsNG To Read More Latest And Interesting News Across Nigeria And The World