₦airaland Forum

The recent filing of a Notice of Appeal by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s legal team has now vindicated my position and that of all those who have maintained that the judgment of Hon. Justice Binta Nyako did not contain a mandatory order directing the Senate to recall her before the expiration of her six-month suspension.

In the Notice of Appeal, which contains thirty grounds and seeks to set aside the judgment of the Federal High Court, Ground 23 is particularly striking and revealing. It reads:

“The Learned Trial Judge erred in law and abdicated her judicial duty when Her Ladyship, after rightly adjudging the Appellant’s suspension by the 2nd Respondent for a period of six months as excessive, outside the contemplation of the Constitution and the enabling Act, as well as ultra vires Section 63 of the Constitution, failed to expressly make a clear pronouncement setting aside and/or nullifying same accordingly.”

The particulars of this ground further assert:

1. The trial judge found the suspension excessive and contrary to the spirit of the Constitution;

2. Nevertheless, the judge merely believed that the Senate should recall the appellant;

3. The language employed did not constitute an express or binding nullification of the suspension;

4. The absence of a clear and direct order created confusion, as reflected in the enrolled order;

5. The judge’s failure to nullify the suspension expressly has led to multiple interpretations.

This single ground of appeal confirms what we have consistently argued: there was no binding, enforceable order mandating Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s return to the Senate before her suspension elapsed. If such an order existed, there would have been no need to appeal this specific point.

The Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, in exercising its disciplinary powers, acted within the limits of its constitutional and statutory authority. It did not breach any law or violate any rights in sanctioning a member whose conduct on the floor was unworthy of parliamentary decorum. The Senate Chamber is not a theatre for disorder, nor should it be a platform for members to hurl discourtesies at the presiding officer or other colleagues.

Furthermore, Senator Natasha’s dramatized attempt to re-enter the Senate complex, accompanied by a hired crowd and media entourage, was nothing short of a carefully staged spectacle aimed at generating online content for her army of bloggers. It was not about justice, it was about virality.

Her actions, unsanctioned, disorderly, and self-aggrandizing, are unbecoming of the office she holds. They constitute not only a flagrant disregard for institutional discipline but also a fresh insult to the very chamber she claims to respect. Indeed, her conduct could merit another round of disciplinary action.

Let discerning Nigerians note this: the judicial process must be respected in its entirety, not selectively exploited for media sympathy. The appeal filed by Senator Natasha herself has exposed the truth and reaffirmed the position that the Senate has acted within the law.

We were right yesterday, and we are right today. The Senate owes no duty to enforce a non-existent order.



Dayo Fdugba, lawyer and Policy Analyst writes from Abuja

.https://www.reubenabati.com.ng/opinion/opinion-finally-natasha-akpoti-uduaghan-s-own-appeal-confirms-no-order-mandated-senate-to-recall-her-dayo-fdugba

Even in the face on incontrovertible evidence, emotions and sentiments will still make some people argue, abuse and curse anyone with different opinions.

The suspended senators knows her audience anyways, and will possibly do anything to remain in the news.

LibertyRep:
Even in the face on incontrovertible evidence, emotions and sentiments will still make some people argue, abuse and curse anyone with different opinions.

The suspended senators knows her audience anyways, and will possibly do anything to remain in the news.

just leave them, 2027 is around the corner, maybe that's when they will all run away

uhmm


Not enough original content
Please take a moment to write a quality post with at least 40 characters.
This will make the forum more interesting for everyone

She knew she misrepresented the truth.

She refused to supply evidence for the claims she made that Akpabio said "pssss". She also made additional allegations of assassination for which she is facing defamation charges.

She knows her audience who support her is gullible and will swallow everything she vomits on them. She did not dent referring to them as gullible and hungry, but her behaviour demonstrates she is convinced they are gullible and hungry.

She knew there was no court order on her resumption, she just went there to cause trouble and took Aisha Yesufu and one other with her.

I think the senate should investigate the attempted criminal invasion of the national assembly by uninvited guests and expel Natasha for the rest of her term.

Let Kogi Central make better electoral choices in future.

Nigeria judgement always confusing people that even believe they won the case. Why can't them pronounce judgement clearly. Just the way constitution is not clear,that judges always twisted it to favour highest bidder.

Kogi deserves a better and responsible representation, not just this woman with 4 different husbands. The drama and baseless accusations she raised against the SP without a single evidence to back up was very unnecessary. Kogi has not been fortunate with responsible leaders.

Jesus Christ is the Only Way Truth and the Life; accept Him today and be saved. Good morning and be blessed.

Separation of powers means that the courts cannot interfere in the internal affairs of the Senate.

I was wondering what those self acclaimed activists were doing at the NASS gate.

Those people will finally lead diswan astray just as they've led everyone they've supported since the creation of Nigeria.

Just ask O_jukwu, you'll know better

This was clear from day one but she needed content for her online admirers.

Even the claim of being stopped at the airport are all content to trend online.

They'll definitely extend her suspension.
This I've seen.

princeade86:
Nigeria judgement always confusing people that even believe they won the case. Why can't them pronounce judgement clearly. Just the way constitution is not clear,that judges always twisted it to favour highest bidder.

It’s never confusing. People just want to misinterpret to gain sympathy or because they cannot handle the loss of a court case.

Exactly, I was going to say myself that she should be suspended again for behavior unbecoming of a senator of the Federal republic.

BERNIMOORE:
.https://www.reubenabati.com.ng/opinion/opinion-finally-natasha-akpoti-uduaghan-s-own-appeal-confirms-no-order-mandated-senate-to-recall-her-dayo-fdugba

Read the nonsense up there... when a Judge mere believes, then what's the judge doing as a Judge...

Judges are not bystanders, sitting on the fence people. They pass judgements and decide where others cannot decide. They give direction to where doubts are. So what's the point of going to court if they can't pass verdicts... This is how low the judiciary has condescending under APC government. Afraid to be the last hope of the common man
If the Judge wants to rule in favor of Akpabio, please do so and be direct or if otherwise, be straight and stand tall in the hall of justice, not hogwashing and be cowardly.

Very disgraceful Judge and judgement

After the expiration of the suspension, you will see her with her audience marching to NASS gate as if they have won a victory. Meanwhile the suspension only elapsed.

Like everyone has said, she knows her audience very well

wellmax:
It’s never confusing. People just want to misinterpret to gain sympathy or because they cannot handle the loss of a court case.

Is pure cowardice. The Judge on one hand knows it's wrong for the senate to suspended an elected officer just as it is wrong to suspend a sitting and elected governor but rather that rule on that, the judge is sharing a mere opinion. Who ask Judge for opinion

The same way some persons claimed election was rigged and their principal made no such allegation in his election petition before the tribunal. I no mention name ooo

So instead of Senate to do something meaningful with their office, they are there fighting Natasha all through the year. Who Nigeria this kind thing self.

Seriously, this Woman's suspension needs to be extended just to teach her an unforgettable lesson

Case of judicial banditry

1. The trial judge found the suspension excessive and contrary to the spirit of the Constitution;

If the suspension is against the constitution, it means the suspension is null and void.

BERNIMOORE:
.https://www.reubenabati.com.ng/opinion/opinion-finally-natasha-akpoti-uduaghan-s-own-appeal-confirms-no-order-mandated-senate-to-recall-her-dayo-fdugba

Even though we know we’ll end up explaining the position of the law to the ever-confused Obidients, let us still attempt to clarify a few points:

1. The court did not order the Senate to reinstate Natasha.

2. Even if we assume (without conceding) that the court ordered the Senate to reinstate her, did the court direct Natasha to resume or forcefully intrude into plenary? Reinstatement is not the same as resumption. The onus lies on the Senate to recall her before she can lawfully resume. So, how do we justify her storming the chamber with thugs, like Aisha Yesufu?

3. The court ordered Natasha to pay a fine of ₦5 million and tender an apology in two national dailies. Has she complied with this directive before invading the Senate?

4. Natasha chose to appeal the judgment, claiming the judge did not issue an express order for her reinstatement. If so, what order was she relying on ab initio to intrude into plenary? Why is she appealing and simultaneously attempting to enforce a judgment she disputes?

5. Did her initial case even include a prayer for resumption or reinstatement in the first place?

Frankly, this reeks of confusion, desperation, and a calculated act of content creation.


Tinubu till 2031.

I would recommend the Senate slamming Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan another fresh Six (6) months suspension or giving the people of Kogi Central Senatorial zone an option of producing another candidate.

One (1) singular human being can not bring this level of ridicule and embarrassment to the hallowed Chamber.

Never ! The courts are clear, Apologise in two dailes and on your Facebook page.

She is being influenced by Rufai Oseni a trained Animal Scientist and Ojy Okpe a beauty pageant contestant with little knowledge of Govt & the law.

Our content creator from Kogi. E pain me as e be woman. She just block many women chance in Nigeria electoral politics.

LibertyRep:
Even in the face on incontrovertible evidence, emotions and sentiments will still make some people argue, abuse and curse anyone with different opinions.

The suspended senators knows her audience anyways, and will possibly do anything to remain in the news.

She is keeping her evidence till the Judgement Day so that she can present them to God

jmoore:
Case of judicial banditry

1. The trial judge found the suspension excessive and contrary to the spirit of the Constitution;

If the suspension is against the constitution, it means the suspension is null and void.

What do you expect from judiciary that made a 4th position candidate to be supreme court governor in Imo state?

People like being deceived in this country! Simple go to your seat to be recognised have turned to something else, just because of ego!

MrPresident1:
Separation of powers means that the courts cannot interfere in the internal affairs of the Senate.

Get it right, the are not to interfere on legislative duties however, it doesn't mean they can't rule on cases brought to their door. They just need to pass a verdict for the senate to comply. Natasha and I boldly say is wrongly suspended because when you suspend a senator, you suspend her constituency. They can remove her from their administrative whatever, not represent the senate in any matter but for her, her people not be represented in that chamber and their entitlement not to be giving is completely wrong in its entirety and divisive.

People think it makes sense but it doesn't and is another bad precedence set by this useless presidency and the senate.