Senator Natasha Akpoti
By EMMANUEL KUJE, Abuja –
Centre for Transparency Advocacy (CTA) has urged the Senate to respect the Federal High Court judgment ordering the recall of suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (PDP-Kogi).
The court’s decision came after Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended by the Senate on March 6 for alleged violation of the Senate Standing Orders.
In his reaction, Executive Director of CTA, Faith Nwadishi, in a statement on Friday, welcomed the court’s judgment, saying, “Since it is a court pronouncement, I expect the Senate to respect the judgment because there’s nobody who is above the law.”
Nwadishi added that the court is an arbiter that helps to settle issues and that the Senate should quickly obey the court judgment.
The court had described Akpoti-Uduaghan’s six-month suspension as “excessive” and ordered the Senate to recall her to her legislative duties.
However, the court also awarded a fine of N5 million against Akpoti-Uduaghan for her “satirical apology” message posted on her Facebook page in disobedience of a valid court order.
Nwadishi expressed hope that the Senate would respect the court’s decision, saying, “I’m happy that the court has taken that decision that they should recall her.
“I just ask that the leadership of the Senate should quickly obey that court judgment.”
The court’s judgment requires Akpoti-Uduaghan to tender an unreserved apology in two national dailies and on her Facebook page within seven days to purge herself of the contemptuous act against the court.
By respecting the court’s judgment, the Senate can demonstrate its commitment to upholding the rule of law and ensuring that its actions are guided by the principles of justice and fairness.
