Court Only Advised, Didn’t Compel Us — National Assembly Tells Akpoti-Uduaghan As Legal Directorate Cites Declaratory Judgment
The Legal Services Directorate of the National Assembly has clarified that there is no enforceable order from the Federal High Court compelling the Senate or the National Assembly to immediately reinstate Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan to her seat representing Kogi Central.
This was contained in a letter dated July 14, 2025, and signed by Charles Yoila, Esq., Director of Litigation and Counselling, in response to a letter from Michael Jonathan Numa, SAN, counsel to Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, regarding Suit No: FHC/ABJ/CS/384/2025.
The suit had sought to challenge her suspension from legislative duties and demanded immediate compliance with a court judgment delivered on July 4, 2025, by Justice B.F.N. Nyako of the Federal High Court in Abuja.
However, in its formal response to the legal team representing the suspended senator, the National Assembly stated that the judgment was declaratory in nature and did not issue a specific order directing the Clerk, the Senate, or the President of the Senate to take immediate action.
“From our summary of the judgment order, 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,” the letter read.
“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.”
The Directorate therefore urged Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, through her legal counsel, to await the Senate’s decision on the matter, adding that any action must align with the advisory nature of the court’s pronouncement.
