By Isaac Samuel
Suspended Kogi Central senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, was this afternoon stopped from entering the National Assembly Chamber by security operatives. She has relied on a Court judgement by Justice Binta Nyako two weeks ago. The Federal High Court had suggested that she might be recalled, but the Senate noted that the judge was merely expressing an opinion, which was not legally binding.
The lawmaker, who arrived around the National Assembly complex around midday with rights activist Aisha Yesufu, women’s rights campaigner Mama P, fellow activist Randy, and a large group of supporters, had earlier passed through the outer gate of the National Assembly premises.
However, she was blocked at the second gate which is the main entrance to the complex by stern-looking officers who insisted she could not proceed.
There was heightened security around the complex, as patrol vans were stationed at strategic locations and vehicles thoroughly searched.
Visitors were also restricted to the outer car park.
The confrontation at the main gate drew reactions from her supporters, some of whom chanted and sang solidarity songs, demanding her access.
Yesufu, challenging the officers, asked: “The National Assembly is meant to be for everyone. Why are you stopping us?”
The standoff followed Akpoti-Uduaghan’s declaration at a constituency training programme over the weekend that she would resume legislative duties this week, relying on a recent ruling by Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court.
She said she had formally written to the Senate leadership to notify them of her intention.
Her lawyer, Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) West Idahosa, insisted the Senate’s appeal against the judgment does not negate her right to resume.
“Attendance is a legislative action. As far as we are concerned, we are focused on the appeal and other issues before the court,” he said.
While she was being denied entry at the main gate, the Senate plenary was underway inside the chamber, with Deputy Senate President, Jibrin Barau, presiding over the session.
Addressing journalists after being turned back, Akpoti-Uduaghan accused Senate President Godswill Akpabio of undermining the rule of law.
Holding the Court order that supposedly reinstated her, she said: “Akpabio cannot be greater than the Nigerian Constitution. I want Nigerians to know that the Office of the Senate President doesn’t give me legitimacy as a senator. The fact that he has done an appeal does not invalidate the decision of Justice Binta Nyako, and that does not stop me from being a senator. I got my legitimacy as a senator from the people of Kogi who voted me into office as senator,” she said.
“That I’ve been denied entrance to the National Assembly is a statement being made. It’s on record that the National Assembly under Akpabio has decided to be in contempt of a court decision, and it’s quite ironic that they are lawmakers. That poses the question: how far is our democracy in this day and age?”
Akpoti-Uduaghan also questioned the basis of her initial suspension, stating, “Even the suspension ab initio was fraudulent, the document was faulty.”
On her next line of action, she said, “Going forward, I will have a meeting with my legal team so they proceed to the appellate court to seek interpretation into what just happened. I’m a law-abiding citizen.”
She later left the premises around 1.30pm after addressing reporters.
As at press time, the Senate leadership had not issued any statement on the Tuesday incident.
