Faith Nwadishi, Executive Director of Centre for Transparency Advocacy (CTA), has urged the Senate to respect the Federal High Court ruling in Abuja ordering it to recall the Sen. Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (PDP-Kogi).
Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended by the Nigerian Senate on 6 March over alleged violation of the Senate Standing Orders 2023.
On Friday, a Federal High Court ordered the Senate to recall Akpoti-Uduaghan, Senator representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, from suspension.
Justice Binta Nyako, in her judgment, described the six-month suspension issued to Akpoti-Uduaghan by the Senate as ‘excessive’.
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Reacting to the judgment, Nwadishi said: “Since it is a court pronouncement, I expect the Senate to respect the judgment because there’s nobody who is above the law.
“The court is there, more like an arbiter; that is, the middle institution, to help to settle issues.
“So, I’m also happy that the court has taken that decision that they should recall her.
“In my opinion, I don’t think that this matter should have gone on as long as it went on. I just ask that the leadership of the Senate should quickly obey that court judgment.”
Justice Nyako, in the judgment, also awarded a fine of N5 million against Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
The fine, the judge said, was for Akpoti-Uduaghan’s “satirical apology” which she posted on her Facebook page on April 27, in disobedience of the valid order of the court.
The judge directed Akpoti-Uduaghan to issue an unreserved apology in two national newspapers and on her Facebook page within seven days of the order, as a condition for purging herself of contempt of court.
