. . . Why she trekked into the premises

Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has made her way into the National Assembly premises in Abuja, after she was initially denied access.

The lawmaker who is serving a six-month suspension by the upper lawmaking body had vowed to resume sitting after a court verdict allegedly asking the Senate to recall her. The Senate denied that there was any such court order and ordered her not to turn up.

"However, when she attempted to resume on Thursday, her convoy was stopped, denying her entry into the premises," says a A Channels TV report.

"Senator Natasha, who was inside a black car, was stopped from entering the National Assembly. The car in front of her, carrying activist Aisha Yesufu, was also stopped from entering the National Assembly.

"But later on, she alighted from her car and proceeded into the National Assembly on foot, accompanied by some supporters," the report adds.

Security had earlier been beefed up at the national assembly complex, apparently owing to the resumption threat by the suspended senator.

The armed security personnel at the main gate of the national assembly comprised the police, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Sergeant-at-Arms.

the situation resulted in long queues of vehicles at the main entrance to the nation’s parliament, as the security operatives were ensuring thorough checks to ensure that Akpoti-Uduaghan did not beat the security network and enter the complex

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the senate had reaffirmed, for the third time, that there was no subsisting court order mandating it to recall the senator before the expiration of her suspension.

Senate’s Spokesperson, Sen. Yemi Adaramodu, had reaffirmed the upper chamber’s position in a statement on Sunday.

“This clarification becomes necessary, following the circulating claims by the suspended senator that she intends to resume at the Senate Tuesday.

“This is based on a misinterpretation of the recent judgment delivered by Hon. Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court, Abuja,” he had said.