The suspended senator representing Kogi Central, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has made up her mind to resume plenary today, despite warnings from the Senate that she stays away from National Assembly until the elapses of her six months suspension.
The Kogi lawmaker, who was suspended in March, revealed over the weekend that she had formally notified the Senate of her intention to return, citing a recent court decision as her basis.
She said: “I have pretty much two months more before the six months expire. However, I have written to the Senate again telling them that I’m resuming on the 22nd, which is on Tuesday, by the special grace of God,” she told newsmen during a constituency training programme.
“I will be there, because the court did decide on that. Now, they argue that it’s an order, it’s not an order, but it is a decision.”
Akpoti-Uduaghan though said her suspension did not stop her from executing constituency projects, it had obstructed her ability to carry out vital legislative functions like sponsoring bills and moving motions.
The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Yemi Adaramodu, has on Sunday, reaffirmed the Senate’s position, warning that there was no legal directive compelling her immediate recall.
“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,” Adaramodu stated.
