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Appeal Court affirms Natasha’s suspension, says Senate acted within law
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The Court of Appeal, Abuja Division on Monday, affirmed the suspension of the Kogi Central Senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan by the Senate .
The appellate court held that, the Senate has power to discipline any erring member and that, in the instant case, Natasha’s fundamental right was never breached as she alleged.
Delivering judgement in an appeal filed by Natasha against the judgement of the Federal High Court, Justice Abba Bello Mohammed held that, from the provision of Section 66(4) of the Senate’s standing rules, the Senate has the power to invoke disciplinary action to ensure orderliness in the conduct of Senate’s proceedings.
The appellate court held that, Senator Natasha was wrong on the February 20, 2025 incident when the Senate President allocated a new seat to her and refused to accept the order.
The Court also said that, the claim of Natasha that she was not given prior notice on the change of seat was unattainable because there was no provision for prior notification as she claimed.
In the unanimous judgement, Justice Mohammed said that, the Federal High Court, in the first instance ought to have declined jurisdiction in entertaining the suit having discovered that the Senate acted in line with the provision that permits it to suspend any erring member.
The Appeal Court said, Senator Natasha, upon been told the re-allocation of seat ought to have moved to the new seat adding that the Senate was right to enforce order six rule two following her persistent refusal to obey the Senate order.
To worsen the situation, the Court of Appeal held that, the refusal of Senator Natasha to appear before the Senate Committee on Ethics, Petition and Privileges did not help her matter.
Similarly, the Court of Appeal also dismissed Natasha’s claim that her suspension was carried out in violation of an order by Justice Obiora Egwuatu adding that, since Justice Egwuatu recused himself and the matter started afresh by Justice Binta Nyako, the order of Justice Egwuatu was not longer subsisting.
However, the court faulted the contempt charge against Senator Natasha and the N5 million fine imposed on her by Justice Binta Nyako.
According to the Court of Appeal, the failure by the trial court to serve forms 48 and 49 on the Kogi Senator was fatal.
The Court therefore set aside the content proceedings and the N5 million fine imposed on the Kogi Senator.
The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Inter-Parliamentary Affairs, Senator Aliyu Wadada has promised to revive the committee’s activities after acknowledging concerns over its prolonged inactivity.
Wadada spoke on Thursday at the end of the committee’s meeting in Abuja.
Specifically, the chairman admitted that the committee had been underutilised, noting that it had met only once in the last three years.
He, however, said issues responsible for the situation had been identified during a closed-door session and would be addressed.
“Of course I feel concerned about it, but when we got into the details in a closed-door meeting, we got to know where the problems are, and they will all be taken care of. The committee will be as active as it should always be,” he said.
Commenting further, the chairman said the committee would focus on its core mandate of promoting and strengthening legislative relations between Nigeria’s National Assembly and parliamentary bodies across the world.
According to him, the committee will deepen engagement with regional and international legislative institutions, including the ECOWAS Parliament, the Pan-African Parliament, the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), and other parliamentary organisations.
He disclosed that a new work plan had already been developed to guide the committee’s activities.
He added: “The direction is basically around the responsibilities of the committee, which is to promote and deepen legislative relationship within Nigeria and with other legislative bodies around the world”.
The chairman added that the committee’s first major activity would be a courtesy visit to the Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament in Nigeria as part of efforts to strengthen inter-parliamentary cooperation.
SINL NIgeria Online reports that Senator Wadada assured that the public would be kept informed of the committee’s activities as the new work plan is implemented.
The Minister of Defence, Christopher Musa, has revealed that the minimum monthly salary of Nigerian soldiers has increased to N100,000 after the Federal Government reviewed their welfare package.
Musa made the disclosure during an interview with News Central ahead of his appearance on the NC Exclusive programme.
He said the adjustment was part of efforts by the government to improve the living conditions of military personnel.
Executive Branch
The former Chief of Defence Staff, however, said the country’s defence sector still requires more funding despite the improvement in soldiers’ earnings and welfare.
He stated that the current defence budget remains inadequate, adding that more resources are needed to effectively support the armed forces and their operations.
Musa explained that soldiers who previously earned about N49,000 monthly now receive at least N100,000 following the salary review carried out by the government.
The minister also called for tougher punishment for kidnappers, saying stronger measures are needed to reduce the increasing cases of abduction across Nigeria.
Remodelled Abuja City Gate To Be Commissioned Today, Thursday, July 9
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Senator Wadada promises to deepen legislative ties, stop inactivity
Just in: FG jerks up salaries soldiers to N100k monthly
DAY 22 of Projects Commissioning in the FCT
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