The Nigerian Senate has stated that it will not reinstate Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan until it receives and thoroughly examines the Certified True Copy (CTC) of a recent court ruling concerning her suspension.
Speaking to the News Agency of Nigeria on Sunday, Senator Yemi Adaramodu, who chairs the Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, explained that the legislative body had already requested the CTC of the judgment and would act based on its content.
“We’ve applied for the CTC since Monday. Once we obtain it, the Senate will review the content and take a formal decision,” Adaramodu said.
The Senate had, on March 6, imposed a six-month suspension on Akpoti-Uduaghan following sexual harassment allegations she made against Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
Her suspension came on the back of a report presented by Senator Neda Imasuen, who leads the Senate Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct, and Public Petitions.
Akpoti-Uduaghan challenged her suspension in court, and Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court in Abuja last week ordered her reinstatement.
However, the court also fined the senator ₦5 million for contempt.
Adaramodu insisted that while the Senate is bound to respect the court’s decision, it must first review the official document before taking a stance.
He added, “This is why we have Standing Orders. Anyone who violates them can be disciplined by the Senate as a body.”