NBA tells Akpabio pendency of suit can’t prevent Natasha from resuming at Senate, echoing Falana and other lawyers
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
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“If the suspension has ended, she can return, regardless of whether the Senate was right or wrong in suspending her. The Senate cannot use the pending appeal to deprive her of her seat once the actual suspension has ended.
“That is not a good position for the Senate to adopt.
“The Senate should act honourably and allow her to resume, so that her constituents are not left unrepresented. While the court determines whether the Senate was justified in suspending her, the lapse of six months should allow her to return” – Afam Osigwe, NBA President.
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Godswill Akpabio has again been reminded by the body of lawyers that it is illegal for him to use his office as Senate President to prevent Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (PDP, Kogi Central) from returning to the Chamber after the expiration of her controversial suspension for six months.
Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) President Afam Osigwe SAN, argued that notwithstanding the fact the matter is before the courts, Natasha should be allowed to return to the Senate since her suspension period has ended.
Femi Falana SAN, and other individual lawyers have also made the same point, with Falana citing serial violation of court orders by Akpabio and the Senate.
Natasha was suspended on March 6 after Senate plenary presided over by Akpabio adopted the report of its Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions Committee which found that she violated Senate rules by refusing to vacate her assigned seat.
The suspension, which came after she accused Akpabio of sexual harassment, stripped her of her security, salary, aides, and other official privileges – including barring her from coming near the National Assembly (NASS) Chamber.
“First, the suspension was for six months. Challenging the correctness of that decision in court is separate from the expiration of the suspension period,” Osigwe told The PUNCH.
“If the suspension has ended, she can return, regardless of whether the Senate was right or wrong in suspending her. The Senate cannot use the pending appeal to deprive her of her seat once the actual suspension has ended.
“That is not a good position for the Senate to adopt.
“The Senate should act honourably and allow her to resume, so that her constituents are not left unrepresented. While the court determines whether the Senate was justified in suspending her, the lapse of six months should allow her to return.”
Natasha challenged the suspension at the Abuja Federal High Court where Judge Binta Nyako ruled that it is excessive and unconstitutional and she should be recalled to her seat.
The Senate failed to obey the ruling, and after Natasha completed the suspension period, she informed the Senate in writing of her plan to resume her duties.
However, the acting Clerk to the NASS (CAN) Yahaya Danzaria wrote back and told her the suspension remains until the Court of Appeal delivers judgment on her suit.
“The matter remains sub judice, and until the judicial process is concluded, no administrative action can be taken to facilitate your resumption. You will be duly notified of the Senate’s decision on the matter as soon as it is resolved,” Danzaria stated in the letter.
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