The senate has issued a warning to Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi central, advising her not to return to the national assembly until her suspension has been officially lifted.

On Saturday, Akpoti-Uduaghan declared her intention to resume legislative duties on Tuesday, stating that she had formally notified the senate in writing.

However, in a statement on Sunday, Yemi Adaramodu, who chairs the senate committee on media and public affairs, maintained that “no court order mandates the senate to reinstate the suspended lawmaker”.

Adaramodu emphasized the senate’s commitment to upholding due process and the principles of the rule of law.

According to the statement, “The senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria wishes to reaffirm, for the third time, that there is no subsisting court order mandating the senate to recall Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan before the expiration of her suspension.”

It continued that the senate had already released two previous statements after the court’s ruling and the issuance of the certified true copy of the enrolled order, making it evident that there was no binding instruction compelling the senate to bring her back.

Instead, the court issued a suggestion encouraging the senate to consider adjusting its standing orders and reassessing the suspension, which it viewed as possibly excessive.

The court also ruled clearly that the senate did not violate any laws or constitutional provisions in imposing disciplinary measures due to the senator’s conduct during plenary.

The statement noted that the same court found Akpoti-Uduaghan guilty of contempt and imposed penalties, including a N5 million fine payable to the federal government and a directive to publish an apology in two national newspapers and on her Facebook page, which she allegedly has yet to do.

Adaramodu remarked that it was surprising and without legal basis for Akpoti-Uduaghan, while appealing and having filed a motion to delay the enforcement of those rulings, to act as if there is an existing recall order.

He cautioned that any move by her to return to the senate on Tuesday under a false assumption would be premature, disruptive, and violate legislative protocols.

He added that the senate would, when appropriate, review the court’s advice on amending its standing rules and addressing her recall, and communicate the outcome to her.

Until that time, she has been advised to remain away from the senate chambers and allow legal procedures to be completed.

On March 6, the senate suspended Akpoti-Uduaghan for six months for allegedly breaching its standing rules.

The suspension followed her accusation of sexual harassment against Senate President Godswill Akpabio, which she later pursued in court.

In July, the federal high court in Abuja ruled that the lawmaker should be reinstated, saying the length and manner of her suspension were too severe.

Nonetheless, the senate said it has not yet received the certified true copy of the judgment and would not take action without it.

Akpabio has filed an appeal to contest the court’s ruling.

The Enugu State Electricity Regulatory Commission has approved a reduced tariff for MainPower Electricity Distribution Limited, which replaced the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company. The Band A electricity tariff has been decreased from N209 per kilowatt-hour to N160 per kilowatt-hour.

The commission issued the directive over the weekend through a document labeled EERC/2025/003, titled “Tariff Order for MainPower Electricity Distribution Limited 2025.”

In a statement on Sunday, the regulator said the new rate, starting August 1, is based on actual costs and incorporates the federal government’s subsidy on electricity generation, which benefits consumers.

The commission stated that the decision aligns with the Enugu State Electricity Law 2023, which grants it the authority to oversee electricity generation, transmission, and distribution within the state.

“This law, signed by Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu state in September 2023, is pursuant to the 2023 Constitutional Amendment, which firmly established the legislative authority of the states on electricity matters within their states,” the statement reads.

“This was followed by the passage of the Electricity Act 2023, that repealed the Electric Power Sector Reform Act, 2005, and introduced major changes such as the separation of distribution and supply operations, and empowers states to regulate their own electricity markets.”

EERC TO MONITOR MAINPOWER TO ENSURE COMPLIANCE WITH NEW TARIFF

The regulator noted that it has set up monitoring and evaluation mechanisms as well as service standards to ensure that MainPower fulfills its service obligations and does not overcharge consumers for inadequate supply.

“MainPower is obliged to publish daily on its website a rolling seven-day average daily hours of supply on each Bank A feeder no later than 9am of the next day,” the commission said.

“Where MainPower fails to deliver on the committed level of service on Band A feeder for two consecutive days, MainPower shall report this to the Commission within 24 hours.”

The commission added that any Band A feeder that fails to meet the required service levels for seven straight days will be downgraded to reflect actual supply levels.

It stated its commitment to collaborating with “industry developers, investors, customers and Stakeholders to develop and implement strategies and solutions to provide access and improve electricity services to all the citizens of the state, as this is a win for the establishment”.

Chijioke Okonkwo, chairman of the EERC, said the tariff reduction followed a thorough review of MainPower’s license and pricing submissions, as it is a newly certified subnational operator in Enugu state.

“We reviewed their entire costs, using our Tariff Methodology Regulations 2024, and the supporting Distribution Tariff Model to get an average price of N94,” he said.

“The price is low because the Federal Government has been subsidising electricity generation cost which charges only N45 out of the actual cost of N112. That was how we came about the average tariff of N94 as cost reflective tariff at our level as a subnational electricity market.

“The actual PPA cost of any power purchase made by Mainpower out side the one subsidized by Federal Government, through the Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trader (NBET) will trigger automatic tariff adjustment to accommodate the PPA price because it will not be subsidized by the Federal Government.

“Breaking this across the various tariff bands means that Band A will be paying N160 while other Bands B, C, D, and E are frozen.

“Band A, at N160 will help MainPower to manage the rate shock, and if the subsidy is removed, the savings will assist them in stabilising the tariff over a defined period of time.”

According to Okonkwo, the tariff will always reflect actual costs and will not require any financial assistance from the state government.

He also stated that if the federal government stops subsidizing generation costs, the Band A tariff of N160 could become unsustainable, and prices might exceed the current rate.

Until that happens, he said it is appropriate that “Ndi Enugu – Band A customers” benefit from the lower tariff starting August 1.

The Senate has cautioned suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central, against attempting to resume her legislative role on Tuesday by force.

Yemi Adaramodu, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, issued the caution in a statement released on Sunday.

Adaramodu emphasized that there is no legal directive currently requiring the Senate to reinstate Akpoti-Uduaghan immediately and reaffirmed the Senate’s commitment to legal procedures and the rule of law.

He stated, “The Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria wishes to reaffirm, for the third time, that there is no subsisting court order mandating the Senate to recall Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan before the expiration of her suspension.”

This clarification came in response to reports quoting Akpoti-Uduaghan as claiming she would return to the Senate based on a judgment by Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court in Abuja.

Adaramodu explained that after the court decision and the issuance of the Certified True Copy of the enrolled order, the Senate had already clarified twice that the court did not issue any binding or compulsory instruction for her reinstatement.

He added, “Rather, the honourable court gave a non-binding advisory urging the Senate to consider amending its standing orders and reviewing the suspension, which it opined might be excessive.”

He further explained that the court had clearly ruled that the Senate had not violated any law or constitutional provision in suspending the senator for her conduct during plenary.

The Senate also pointed out that the same court found Akpoti-Uduaghan in contempt and penalized her with a fine of N5 million to be paid to the federal government, along with an instruction to issue public apologies in two national newspapers and on her Facebook page — a ruling she has reportedly not yet followed.

The Senate spokesperson added, “It is, therefore, surprising and legally untenable that Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, while on appeal and having filed a motion for stay against the valid and binding orders made against her, is attempting to act upon an imaginary order of recall that does not exist.”

He cautioned that any attempt by Akpoti-Uduaghan to force her way back into the Senate next Tuesday under a false premise would be inappropriate, disruptive, and contrary to legislative protocol.

He added, “The Senate will, at the appropriate time, consider the advisory opinion of the court on both amending the standing orders of the Senate, her recall, and communicate the same thereof to Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan.”

“Until then, she is respectfully advised to stay away from the Senate chambers and allow due process to run its full course,” the statement concluded.