The office of the clerk to the national assembly says it lacks power to allow Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, the suspended senator representing Kogi central, to resume legislative duties.
In a statement on Monday, Bullah Bi-Allah, director of
information at the office of the clerk, said the attention of the secretariat
was drawn to media reports and public commentary on Akpoti-Uduaghan’s
suspension, her attempt to resume duties, and a petition by her lawyers, M. J.
Numa & Partners LLP.
Bi-Allah noted that the office of the clerk functions
strictly as an administrative arm, supporting the senate in line with its
resolutions, standing orders, and the 1999 Constitution.
He added that the clerk has no powers to review, reverse or
interpret decisions of the senate.
On March 6, the senate suspended Akpoti-Uduaghan for six
months for “gross misconduct”.
Bi-Allah noted that while the decision was challenged in
court, the federal high court did not invalidate the suspension, adding that no
binding order has been issued to reverse or modify the resolution.
On September 4, Akpoti-Uduaghan informed the clerk’s office
of her intention to resume legislative duties.
Bi-Allah noted that while she could have addressed the
letter directly to the senate president, the correspondence was forwarded to
the red chamber’s leadership, which observed that the matter is still before
the court of appeal.
According to him, the senate leadership maintained that any
change to her suspension must be backed by either a new resolution or a
definite court order.
“This communication was what the clerk to the national
assembly conveyed in the letter, no more, no less,” the statement reads.
“The clerk is therefore not in a position to facilitate her
resumption at this time.”
He said the clerk’s office expressed dismay over a letter
from Akpoti-Uduaghan’s lawyers accusing the clerk of overreach and threatening
legal and disciplinary action.
He said the clerk has at all times acted within lawful
limits and in observance of due process and emphasised that the authority to
decide whether Akpoti-Uduaghan can resume her legislative duties after the
suspension lies solely with the senate.
He noted that the clerk remains guided by the principles of
constitutionalism, institutional respect and the rule of law.
Bi-Allah called on the public to be patient and allow the
senate and the courts to discharge their responsibilities.
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