Nominated senator Gloria Orwoba has been temporarily allowed to return to the Senate.
The latest comes after the senator obtained conservatory orders dismissing the Senate’s decision to suspend her from the house for six months.
Orwoba’s return to the senate was announced by Speaker Amason Kingi who noted that the decision follows a ruling by the High Court.
Kingi, while making the announcement, noted that despite the Senate not being satisfied with the ruling, the senator will be allowed back to the house pending the determination of the matter.
“Having considered this matter after taking into account previous rulings of Speakers of Parliament and court decisions, it is my ruling that whereas the Senate is dissatisfied with the conservatory order obtained by Senator Gloria Orwoba, the Senate shall comply with the said order while reserving its right to vigorously defend its position in court,” Kingi said.
Orwoba’s suspension
Orwoba was suspended from the house over alleged gross misconduct.
“Pursuant to section 17(3)(g) of the Parliamentary Powers and Privileges Act, 2017, the senator be suspended from the House for the remainder of the second session of the 13th Parliament,” the Senate Powers and Privileges Committee stated in its recommendations.
The committee had also stated that the senator would be required to apologise before all the senators at the bar during her return.
“On resumption of Senate sitting for the Third Session, the Senator, while at the bar apologises to the Senate, Senators, clerk of the Senate and Secretariat of Parliament before being admitted to the Senate, pursuant to section 17(3)(c) of the Parliamentary Powers and Privileges Act,” the recommendation.
The senator was accused of making unsubstantiated allegations of sexual favours by some parliamentary officials.
“Senator Gloria Orwoba, MP, on diverse dates, made unsubstantiated allegations that there was discrimination in Parliament by posting various messages on the Senate.
“That Senator Gloria Orwoba, MP, on diverse dates, published information that was disrespectful towards fellow Senators on the Senate Business WhatsApp Group,” the committee added. BY K24 NEWS