₦airaland Forum

The legal counsel representing the Senate in the suit over the suspension of Kogi Central Senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, from the Senate, has publicly challenged claims made by the embattled female lawmaker suggesting that a Federal High Court order has directed her recall from suspension from legislative functions.

In a statement issued to journalists on Monday in Abuja by the law firm of Paul Daudu, and Co., the Senate’s legal team addressed a viral video on social media in which Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan announced plans to resume legislative duties on Tuesday, based on a July 4 ruling by Hon. Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court in Abuja.

The video, which has spread across social media and various media platforms, shows the Kogi Centrao Senator telling supporters that the court judgement mandates the Senate to recall her from suspension. However, the Senate’s counsel has firmly refuted the interpretation of the court’s decision.

“Our position is clear,” the statement read. “The judgement of the Honourable Court did not contain any express order setting aside or nullifying the six-month suspension.”

According to Paul Daudu, who was present during the court proceedings, the judge merely offered an obiter dicta—a legal opinion not forming part of the binding judgement—stating that the suspension may be excessive given its impact on the Kogi Central constituents’ right to representation.

“This opinion,” he said, “was not crystallised into any enforceable court order.”

The legal team warned that any public assertion implying a binding directive from the court to the Senate could create confusion within the legislative environment and undermine institutional respect between the judiciary and the National Assembly.

Highlighting that the enrolled order—the official court record detailing the judgement—was yet to be made available, the Senate’s lawyers cautioned against taking any action until all parties have reviewed the formal pronouncement.

“This is not only to avoid contemptuous conduct,” the letter stated, “but to ensure that all actions taken henceforth align strictly with the actual tenor and intendment of the judgment.”

The statement concluded with an appeal to Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s legal representatives to act with restraint and professionalism, warning that premature moves could lead to a constitutional crisis or legislative disorder.

PlasmaTV:
Wonders shall never end in this Naija

Pathetic one from the Senate. One day, Nigeria will be great.

Magnetic010:
Believe me when I tell you this, Nigeria will never be great again.

emkz:
This woman is troublesome.

There was no court order on her reinstatement.

The judge said the 1999 constitution did not envisage a situation where a senator would be suspended for six months. She described the suspension as lawful, according to senate rules, but excessive. She asked that the senate should consider reinstating her.

The judge did not ask the suspended senator to resume. There is no such order. She was also found guilty for contempt to court for publishing a satirical letter against Akpabio despite a court order saying both parties must refrain from discussing the matter. She was fined five million and asked to publish an apology for disobeying the court order on two national dailies and on Facebook. She did not do that.

If she resumes on her own, the senate is within their rules to punish her again.

jayce232:
How can the court dictate to senate how to run its affairs? People need to understand separation of power, everything shouldn't be sentiment. In the hierarchy of governance, Legislature comes before judiciary. They make the laws. The court cannot be giving order to the legislative arm of government.

yinkus6750:
Don't mind her and her blind supporters.
Her aim is just to create chaos and crisis.
The judgement said she should pay 5m,has she paid ? Also told her to tender apologize in paid advert,has that been done ?
There is separation of powers between the judiciary and legislature. The judge was only advicing the Senate to look into it's standing rules.
The lawyer ought to have filed an appeal and maintaining the status quo of the suspension.

Yorubastardz:
Dribble that woman like Ronaldinho till 2027
She never see anything

Omoawoke:
When someone just use stubbornness without sense, they are bound to continually suffer and be embarrassed
All her stubbornness has earned her nothing other than losses…
She was kicked out for almost 6 months, who suffer?
She went to write stupid post on Facebook, who suffered ?
Now she’s back again without learning…. This is stupidity

epainos:
NL no go mkpe person ooooo. This one don write sense like this oooo.... So, who settles disagreements between two senators? Senate president go wear wig right? And hammer his will just like that? You need to know the meaning of separation of power. People too sabi book in this NL..