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Message: [QUOTE="Munyaradzi Mafaro, post: 52214, member: 636"] Parliament officials have responded to legal counsel representing suspended Kogi Central Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan regarding her potential return to the chamber. The National Assembly clarified that Justice Binta Nyako's recent ruling in the Federal High Court contained advisory language rather than binding directives. Charles Yoila, Director of Litigation and Counselling for the legislative body, authored the formal response to attorney Michael Jonathan Numan. The correspondence emphasized that no mandatory compliance order emerged from the July 4 court proceedings. Officials distinguished between judicial advice and enforceable commands in their interpretation of the ruling. Akpoti-Uduaghan faced a six-month suspension after raising sexual harassment allegations against Senate President Godswill Akpabio. She challenged this disciplinary action through the federal court system, seeking reinstatement. Justice Nyako delivered a judgment that encouraged parliamentary leadership to consider restoring the senator's privileges. The ruling suggested that elected representatives should resume duties serving their constituents. However, the decision stopped short of mandating immediate action by the Senate. Parliamentary administrators advised the senator's legal team to await potential Senate deliberations on her status. The legislative body maintains discretionary authority over recall procedures through institutional protocols. Numan had previously demanded immediate implementation of the court's findings through official correspondence. The National Assembly's response indicates that any restoration depends on internal Senate processes rather than automatic judicial enforcement. This position reflects the institution's interpretation of the separation of powers between the judicial and legislative branches. [/QUOTE]

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