House of Representatives member Clement Jimbo has urged legal reforms to address the misinterpretation of court judgments in Nigeria, citing the recent controversy surrounding a Federal High Court ruling involving Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan and the Senate.
Speaking on Friday, Jimbo, who represents Abak/Etim Ekpo/Ika Federal Constituency, expressed concern over the constitutional standoff triggered by conflicting interpretations of the court’s decision. The ruling led to confusion when Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan attempted to resume legislative duties, only to be denied entry by Senate security officials, who maintained that the judgment did not mandate her recall.
Jimbo criticized the ambiguity in judicial rulings, stating, “One meter in the high court should equal one meter in the appellate court. Lawyers and judges must do better.” He emphasized that court judgments should be written in clear, direct language to prevent misinterpretation by the public or parties involved.
To address the issue, Jimbo proposed that the National Assembly form an ad hoc committee, comprising members of the constitutional review and judiciary committees, to review relevant sections of the Constitution and legal frameworks. He advocated for a standardized template for writing judgments to ensure clarity and eliminate ambiguity.
The lawmaker called for urgent action to restore public confidence in the judiciary, stressing that while the judiciary remains independent, its rulings must be unambiguous to uphold justice and avoid unnecessary disputes.
