The Nigerian Senate said Monday night that it will not stop Senator Ovie Omo-Agege from attending plenary on Tuesday, in compliance with a Federal High Court order.
The Senate had initially stated it would not respect the order, since it has filed an appeal, in a higher court.
But in a sudden twist, the Senate gave its new position in a statement by its spokesman, Senator Sabi Aliyu Abdullahi, chairman of the Committee on Media and Publicity.
“The Senate leadership has been briefed by our lawyers on last Thursday judgement of the Federal High Court, Abuja, on whether the Senate has the legal authority to suspend a member for certain misconduct or not.
“We have equally filed an appeal against the judgement of the court and a motion for stay of execution of the judgement at the Court of Appeal.
“As an institution that obeys the law and court orders, the Senate has decided that it will comply with the judgement of the Federal High Court and do nothing to stop Senator Ovie Omo-Agege from resuming in his office and at plenary from tomorrow May 15, 2018, pending the determination of the application for stay of execution.
“The Senate has been advised that since the motion for stay of execution of the Thursday (May 10, 2018) judgement shall be heard and possibly determine on Wednesday, May 16, 2018, we shall therefore respect the subsisting High Court judgement and await the appellate court decision on the pending motion”, said Sabi Abdullahi.
Meanwhile, Security was beefed up at the national assembly on Monday ahead of the expected resumption of Senator Ovie Omo-Agege.
Strengthening of security arrangement at the complex, especially around the senate chambers is to forestall likely security breach as recorded on April 18, when suspected hoodlums invaded the chambers and made away with the mace.
The incident which occurred while plenary was ongoing was linked to Omo-Agege, who defied the suspension order on him and attended the proceedings, accompanied by some strange fellows.
Apart from full security detail in the red chamber on Monday, police officers were seen at the lobby, a development that is unusual on a non-sitting day.
Sergeants-at-arms were also seen in clusters discussing in hush tones, and apparently perfecting the security beef-up.
