The National Assembly says it was not ordered by the court to reinstate Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, contrary to claims by her lawyers.
The National Assembly has stated that the Federal High Court judgment delivered on July 4, 2025, did not compel the Senate to reinstate suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan. In a letter dated July 14 and signed by Charles Yoila, Director of Litigation at the NASS Legal Services Directorate, the Assembly clarified that no enforceable order was issued against it or its leadership.
“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 wrote in response to Akpoti-Uduaghan’s legal counsel.
He added that the judgment only advised the Senate to consider recalling her.
Akpoti-Uduaghan, suspended in May for alleged misconduct, had approached the court, arguing her suspension was unconstitutional.
Following the court’s declaratory ruling, her lawyers demanded her reinstatement. However, Senate President Godswill Akpabio has appealed the judgment, maintaining the Senate was not legally bound to act immediately.