The National Assembly has clarified that the recent judgment of the Federal High Court does not mandate the Senate to reinstate Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, contrary to demands made by her legal team.
In a letter dated July 14, 2025, and signed by Charles Yoila, Director of Litigation and Counselling at the National Assembly Legal Services Directorate, it stated that the court’s ruling offered no direct order compelling the Senate or its leadership to take action regarding Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension.
The response was addressed to Michael Jonathan Numa, SAN, of M.J. Numa & Partners, in reply to his July 11 letter to the Clerk to the National Assembly.
The correspondence followed the July 4, 2025, judgment of Justice B.F.N. Nyako in Suit No: FHC/ABJ/CS/384/2025, filed by Akpoti-Uduaghan against the Clerk to the National Assembly and three others.
“There is no order made on the 4th day of July, 2025, by Hon. Justice B.F.N. Nyako for the Senate, President of the Senate, or National Assembly to comply with,” Yoila stated in the letter.
“The declaratory judgment merely advised the Defendants to exercise their power to recall Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan and allow her to resume representing the people who sent her to represent them.”
He further advised Akpoti-Uduaghan’s counsel to await the Senate’s internal processes.
“Accordingly, you may wish to advise your client to await the action of the Senate to exercise their power of recall as advised by the court and in terms with the judgment of the Honourable Court, please,” the letter added.
Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, was suspended by the Senate in May 2025 over alleged gross misconduct. In response, she filed a legal challenge, arguing that her suspension was unconstitutional and politically motivated.
On July 4, Justice Nyako ruled in her favour, stating that the suspension lacked legal justification.
However, the judgment did not compel her immediate reinstatement. Instead, it urged the Senate to consider lifting the suspension in accordance with democratic principles and fair representation.
Following the ruling, Akpoti-Uduaghan, through her legal representatives, formally petitioned the Senate on July 11, demanding full compliance with the court’s decision.
The letter, signed by SAN Michael Jonathan Numa, referenced constitutional violations and described the suspension as “excessive and overreaching.”
“The Honourable Court made several findings and orders, including… that the six-month suspension imposed on the Plaintiff was excessive, overreaching, and inconsistent with her ability to comply with the provisions of Section 63 of the 1999 Constitution,” the petition stated.
“We respectfully demand that you give immediate effect to the clear and binding Order of the Federal High Court by taking all necessary steps to facilitate Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s resumption of her legislative duties forthwith,” the letter added.
Godswill Akpabio, the Senate President, also on Monday appealed the judgment that advised on the reinstatement of the Kogi senator.
