Comfort Isaac
Counsel representing the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Paul Daudu, (SAN) has cautioned the suspended lawmaker representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, against going ahead with plans to resume her legislative duties on Tuesday, July 8, 2025 as she had announced.
Akpoti- Uduaghan in a video circulating online was seen telling his supporters of her intensions to resume at the red chambers on Tuesday having been ordered to be reinstated in the senate by Hon.Justice Binta Nyako’s Federal High Court sitting in Abuja.
She said court had ruled that her six-month suspension from the senate was “excessive, unconstitutional, and a violation of the rights of her constituents” therefore, she should be recalled immediately.
However, counsel to the Senate in response to the viral video told counsel to the embattled senator to advise his client to wait for the “release of enrolled order” and review by all parties, insisting that Akpoti misinterpreted the position of the federal high court.
The letter obtained by our reporter on Monday tagged, “Re: Public Statements By Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan Purporting The Federal High Court Nullified Her Suspension – Need For Caution Pending Release Of Enrolled Order” was addressed to Akpoti’s counsel, J.S. Okutekpa, SAN & Co.
He explained that Akpoti’s assertion which is now gaining traction on media space is not only misleading but capable of generating confusion and tension within the legislative environment stressing , “we must all act with caution and responsibility to avoid any escalation that could lead to a breakdown of order or institutional disrespect for the judiciary and the legislature.”
The letter read in parts, “It has come to our attention via multiple online platforms and media blogs that a video is currently circulating in which your client, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, is seen addressing her supporters and asserting that, based on the judgment of the Honourable Court, she will resume her legislative duties at the Senate next Tuesday.
“According to the statements made in the said video, she alleges that the Court, in its judgment, gave an order directing the Senate to recall her from suspension.
“As officers of the Court who were present during the delivery of the judgment, we are constrained to set the record straight. The judgment of the Honourable Justice Binta Nyako, while affirming the constitutional authority of the Senate to discipline its members, did not contain any express order setting aside or nullifying the six-month suspension imposed on your client. What the Court delivered in relation to the suspension was an opinion, an obiter dicta, that the six-month suspension may be considered excessive in light of its impact on the constituents’ right to representation. This, however, was not crystallised into any binding or enforceable relief or order.
“We note that as of today’s date, the enrolled order of the judgment is yet to be made available to the parties. Until same is obtained, relied upon, and duly examined, it is prudent that no party takes any step on the assumption of the existence of an order which is not borne out of the actual pronouncement of the Court.
“We respectfully urge your good selves, in the spirit of collegiality, professionalism, and for the sake of peace and institutional decorum, to advise your client accordingly and prevail on her to refrain from attempting to resume legislative duties until the enrolled order is released and properly reviewed by all parties. This is not only to avoid contemptuous conduct but to ensure that all actions taken henceforth align strictly with the actual tenor and intendment of the judgment.
“We believe this advisory is a responsible and preemptive step to prevent disorder, misinterpretation, and unnecessary constitutional conflict in the National Assembly.”
