…Says no enforceable order mandates immediate recall
From Adesuwa Tsan, Abuja
The Senate has dismissed claims that suspended Kogi Central lawmaker, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, will resume legislative duties on Tuesday, July 15, insisting that the recent Federal High Court judgment delivered by Hon. Justice Binta Nyako was merely advisory and did not amount to a binding order for her recall.
In a statement issued on Sunday by spokesman of the Senate, Yemi Adaramodu, the upper legislative chamber stated that no part of the enrolled court order mandated the Senate to reinstate the suspended senator before the end of her suspension.
This clarification follows a letter dated July 11, 2025, from the law firm of Numa S.A.N. & Co., written on behalf of Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, and addressed to the leadership of the National Assembly. The letter cited Section 318 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and claimed that the court ruling of July 4 directed the Senate to allow the senator resume on Tuesday.
But the Senate has pushed back, categorically stating that the Certified True Copy (CTC) of the judgment contains no such directive.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the Certified True Copy of the Enrolled Order did not contain any express or mandatory order directing the recall or reinstatement of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan before the expiration of her suspension,” Senator Adaramodu said.
He added that while the court may have expressed concerns over the length of the suspension, such comments were advisory in nature and do not amount to a judicial pronouncement that is binding in law.
“The learned judge merely made advisory observations. There was no declaratory or injunctive order compelling the Senate to act otherwise,” he stressed.
The Senate further maintained that its constitutional authority to discipline its members remains intact and unchallenged, citing Section 60 of the 1999 Constitution, which grants each chamber the power to regulate its own procedure.
“The judgment did not invalidate our disciplinary powers. The enrolled order is clear on that point,” the statement emphasised.
Nevertheless, the Senate said it would deliberate on the court’s observations and take a constitutionally guided position, which would be communicated to both the lawmaker and the public.
“We remain committed to constitutional democracy, the rule of law, and the independence of the judiciary. However, we will not allow premature or inaccurate interpretations of court proceedings to undermine the integrity of our legislative processes,” Adaramodu noted.
He concluded that, based on the current legal and procedural position, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan “has no lawful basis to resume sitting in the Senate at this time.”
Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended for 6 months earlier in the year following allegations of misconduct and breach of parliamentary decorum.
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