In a statement issued by the Director of Information, Bullah Audu Bi-Allah, Ogunlana clarified that the clerk’s office functions solely as an administrative arm of the Senate and cannot review, reverse, or interpret legislative resolutions.
The Clerk to the National Assembly, Kamorudeen Ogunlana, has stated that his office has no authority to reinstate the suspended senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
In a statement issued by the Director of Information, Bullah Audu Bi-Allah, Ogunlana clarified that the clerk’s office functions solely as an administrative arm of the Senate and cannot review, reverse, or interpret legislative resolutions.
“The Clerk does not possess the authority to review, reverse or interpret Senate decisions.
“The Clerk’s Office serves strictly as an administrative arm, providing support to the Senate in accordance with their resolutions, Standing Orders and the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as Amended).”
Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended for six months on March 6 over alleged gross misconduct.
While her lawyers challenged the suspension in court, Bi-Allah noted that the Federal High Court did not nullify the decision and that no binding order has been issued to lift it.
The clerk’s office confirmed that on September 4, Akpoti-Uduaghan wrote to indicate her intention to resume legislative duties.
However, the Senate leadership maintained that the issue remains before the Court of Appeal and that only a fresh Senate resolution or a definitive court order can alter the suspension.
The statement also rejected claims from Akpoti-Uduaghan’s legal team accusing the clerk of overreach, stressing that the office has acted strictly within constitutional limits.
Bi-Allah noted that the final decision on whether the senator can return lies with the Senate, urging the public to allow both the legislature and the judiciary to perform their constitutional roles.
“It must be emphasised that the determination of whether Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan can resume her legislative duties as of right without any further or fresh resolution of the Senate following the expiration of her six months suspension lies solely with the Senate and not with the office of the Clerk to the National Assembly.
“The Office of the Clerk remains guided by the principles of constitutionalism, institutional respect and the rule of law. The public is urged to remain patient and allow the appropriate institutions – including the Senate and the courts – to discharge their constitutional responsibilities,” he added.