NASS responds to Akpoti-Uduaghan’s risk to sue clerk

The administration of the National Assembly has stated its Clerk, Kamorudeen Ogunlana, will not be able to facilitate the resumption of Kogi Central Senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, however solely acted according to court docket proceedings.

The clarification was contained in a press release on Monday signed by the Nationwide Meeting Director of Info, Bullah Bi-Allah, in response to threats by Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan’s lawyer, Michael Numa (SAN), to sue the Clerk if the senator will not be allowed to renew her legislative duties.

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The Nationwide Meeting maintained that whereas Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan had written to the Clerk on 4 September to point her readiness to renew, her request ought to have been directed to the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, according to established protocol.

‘On 4 September 2025, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan communicated her intention to renew legislative capabilities to the workplace of the Clerk to the Nationwide Meeting, although she has the choice of writing to the Senate President, which is according to the established protocol.

“In response, this workplace conveyed the identical to the Senate management, who famous that the matter stays earlier than the Courtroom of Attraction (subjudice), and that any change in standing should both come from a recent Senate decision or a definitive court docket order. This communication was what the Clerk to the Nationwide Meeting conveyed within the letter, no extra, no much less. The Clerk is due to this fact not able to facilitate her resumption at the moment,” the assertion stated.

The NASS assertion adopted a letter addressed to the Workplace of the Clerk by Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan’s lawyer demanding that the senator resume her duties on Monday (at the moment) with none obstruction.

The lawyer warned that failure to conform would appeal to authorized motion and thereafter suggested the Clerk to rethink his stance and permit the senator to renew with none hindrance.

The Appearing Clerk to the Nationwide Meeting, Yahaya Danzaria, had earlier written to Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan informing her that she can not resume even after the expiration of her suspension as a result of the matter is in court docket, and that her return can solely comply with a Senate assessment or the conclusion of the judicial course of.

Though the Senate has not issued an official decision, there are indications that the higher chamber could block her resumption when lawmakers reconvene on 23 September with the argument that the matter remains to be earlier than the court docket and deciding in any other case could be sub judice.

Solely the Senate can facilitate resumption

The Nationwide Meeting burdened that the authority to resolve on Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan’s return rests solely with the Senate, not the Clerk.

“To our dismay, the Workplace of the Clerk acquired a letter from the Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s authorized representatives (M. J. Numa & Companions LI.P,), accusing this workplace of overreach and threatening authorized and disciplinary motion. Whereas the workplace respects the proper of all events to hunt authorized redress, it have to be burdened that the Clerk has always acted inside lawful administrative limits, and in trustworthy observance of due course of.

“It have to be emphasised that the dedication of whether or not Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan can resume her legislative duties as of proper with none additional or recent decision of the Senate following the expiration of her six-month suspension lies solely with the Senate and never with the workplace of the Clerk to the Nationwide Meeting.

“The Workplace of the Clerk stays guided by the rules of constitutionalism, institutional respect and the rule of regulation. The general public is urged to stay affected person and permit the suitable establishments – together with the Senate and the courts – to discharge their constitutional duties,” the assertion stated.

No binding order

The Nationwide Meeting additionally clarified that no binding order has been issued to reverse or modify the suspension.

READ ALSO: Lawyer criticises Senate, Akpabio over resolution to dam Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s resumption

“In gentle of those developments, it’s essential to make clear the function of the Clerk to the Nationwide Meeting on this matter. The Clerk’s Workplace serves strictly as an administrative arm, offering help to the Senate in accordance with their resolutions, Standing Orders and the provisions of the Structure of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as Amended). The Clerk doesn’t possess the authority to assessment, reverse or interpret Senate choices.

“On the 6’h March, 2025, the Senate handed a decision suspenling Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan for six months. Although the matter was challenged in Courtroom, the Federal Excessive Courtroom didn’t invalidate the Senate’s decision, and no binding order has been issued to reverse or modify the suspension,” the assertion stated.