The suspended senator representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, Sen. Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan on Tuesday made good her resumption as she stormed the National Assembly in company with her supporters.
Justifying her resumption, the senator cited a recent judgment by Justice Binta Nyako of the federal High Court judgment in Abuja to justify her position.
However, in a counter-statement released on Sunday, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Senator Yemi Adaramodu, dismissed the ruling claimed by the lawmaker.
Senator Yemi Adaramodu clarified that the court merely offered an “advisory opinion” and not a compulsory directive to the upper legislative chamber.
But the Kogi Central senator insisted on resuming her duties. She vowed to resume legislative duties on Tuesday, and she kept her word, arriving at the National Assembly complex precisely at 12:20 p.m.
Among those who accompanied her were a prominent political activist, Aisha Yesufu, and several of her supporters.
The suspended senator was barred from accessing the main building by security personnel.
Security had been beefed up at the national assembly complex, apparently owing to the resumption threat by the suspended senator.
The armed security personnel at the main gate of the National Assembly comprised the police, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), the Department of State Services (DSS), and the Sergeant-at-Arms.
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The situation resulted in long queues of vehicles at the main entrance to the nation’s parliament, as the security operatives were ensuring thorough checks to ensure that Akpoti-Uduaghan did not beat the security network and enter the complex
The Senate had reaffirmed, for the third time, that there was no subsisting court order mandating it to recall the senator before the expiration of her suspension.
Senate’s Spokesperson, Sen. Yemi Adaramodu, had reaffirmed the upper chamber’s position in a statement on Sunday.
“This clarification becomes necessary, following the circulating claims by the suspended senator that she intends to resume at the Senate on Tuesday,” he said.
“This is based on a misinterpretation of the recent judgment delivered by Hon. Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court, Abuja.”