Legal expert Ken Harries says Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan cannot enforce a judgment she has appealed, as doing so contradicts legal norms.
Legal practitioner Ken Harries says suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) cannot appeal and enforce the same Federal High Court judgment delivered on July 4.
Harries made the statement after Akpoti-Uduaghan appeared at the National Assembly citing the ruling as grounds for resuming legislative duties.
“In legal practice, once a party appeals a judgment, it signifies dissatisfaction with the ruling and a request for reversal. It would therefore be inconsistent to enforce a judgment you have already challenged,” Harries said.
He noted that enforcement requires legal procedures, not unilateral action. Harries also questioned if the senator had fulfilled all aspects of the ruling, including a N5 million fine and a public apology.
“If a party has not fulfilled the obligations imposed by the same judgment, it may weaken their position in demanding enforcement,” he added.
He urged legal advisers to uphold the rule of law, concluding: “Those seeking equity must come with clean hands.”