The legal counsel representing Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has called on the National Assembly to comply fully with a Federal High Court ruling ordering her reinstatement to the Senate.
Court Order Must Be Obeyed, Says Legal Counsel
In a letter dated July 14, 2025, addressed to Mr. Charles Yoila, Director of Litigation and Counselling at the National Assembly, Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Michael Jonathan Numa emphasized that the court’s ruling in Suit No: FHC/ABJ/CS/384/2025 is binding and must be enforced.
The referenced judgment, which nullifies Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s earlier suspension, contains twelve specific orders, one of which directs the Senate to recall her.
While Order 12 uses the phrase “the Senate should recall the Plaintiff,” Numa’s legal team argues that when interpreted within the full context of the judgment, it constitutes a mandatory directive, not a mere suggestion.
Suspension Ruled Unconstitutional
The court declared that the findings and recommendations of the Senate Committee that led to Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension were inconsistent with the Nigerian Constitution and the Senate’s Standing Orders.
The legal counsel reminded the National Assembly of its obligation under Section 287(3) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which mandates all authorities and persons to enforce court judgments. They also referenced Section 318, which defines a “decision” to include any “judgment, order, decree, or recommendation.”
Precedent Supports Binding Nature of Court’s Recommendations
The team cited Ecobank (Nig.) Ltd v. Tempo Energy (Nig.) Ltd (2025) as a key Supreme Court precedent, where even judicial “recommendations” were deemed legally binding in certain contexts.
Senator Set to Resume July 22
Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has indicated she will resume legislative duties on July 22, 2025—a symbolic date following the recent passing of former President Muhammadu Buhari.
Her legal team warned that if compliance is delayed or ignored, the Senator may pursue further legal actions to enforce the court’s ruling.
