TENSION flared at the National Assembly on Tuesday as Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan was denied entry into the legislative complex in Abuja, despite a recent court ruling suggesting her reinstatement.
News Point Nigeria reports that the embattled lawmaker, who represents Kogi Central Senatorial District, arrived at the gates of the National Assembly vowing to resume plenary after a Federal High Court judgment advised the Senate to lift her six-month suspension.
However, security operatives at the gate refused her access, citing standing orders from the Senate. Senator Natasha, who was in a black vehicle at the time, was accompanied by activist Aisha Yesufu, whose vehicle was also barred from entry.
In a show of defiance, after some minutes, Senator Natasha alighted from her vehicle and walked into the National Assembly premises in Abuja, accompanied by her supporters, including Yesufu.
She was stopped again at the 2nd gate and asked to turn back. However, the senator and her supporters made their way past the checkpoint only to meet a locked gate.
Despite attempts to gain entry, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan and her team of supporters were denied access.
They later left with the lawmaker expressing displeasure over the move.
The Kogi lawmaker said she will consult her legal team to know the next steps. She vowed to resume once the Senate expected to go for a two-month recess – resumes.
Last week, the lawmaker vowed to resume sitting after a court asked the Senate to recall her.
On March 6, the Senate suspended Akpoti-Uduaghan for six months for breaching its rules. Her suspension came amid her claims of sexual harassment by Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
The Kogi lawmaker challenged the matter in court, saying her suspension was illegal. A few weeks ago, the Federal High Court in Abuja asked the Senate to recall her from the suspension. However, the senate president has appealed the decision.
On Saturday, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan vowed to resume sitting on Tuesday, citing the court judgement.
“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 said during an empowerment programme in her Ihima hometown of Kogi.
“I will be there, because the court did make the decision on that. Now, they argue that it’s an order — it’s not an order, but it is a decision.”
Following her comment, the Senate spokesman, Yemi Adaramodu, insisted that there was no subsisting court order mandating the lawmakers to recall her before the expiration of the suspension.
“We advise the Distinguished Senator to refrain from any attempt to storm the Senate next Tuesday under a false pretext, as doing so would not only be premature but also undermine the dignity of the Senate and violate due process. The Senate, as a law-abiding institution, is committed to upholding the rule of law and the integrity of its proceedings. It will not tolerate the disruption of its proceedings,” Adaramodu said.
“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.”