The Senate has formally responded to a legal demand seeking the immediate reinstatement of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan to the red chamber, following a recent Federal High Court ruling that her legal team interprets as a basis for her recall.
IREPORT247NEWS gathered that Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s legal representatives have served the leadership of the National Assembly with a Certified True Copy of the court judgment, which was delivered on Friday, July 4, 2025, by the Federal High Court in Abuja.
The ruling, issued by Hon. Justice Binta Fatima Nyako, was the culmination of a suit filed by Akpoti-Uduaghan against the National Assembly leadership over the alleged unlawful denial of her legislative seat.
In a letter dated July 11, 2025, the law firm of Numa S.A.N. & Co. officially communicated the court’s decision to the National Assembly, referencing the July 4 ruling.
The letter urged the immediate compliance with the court’s position, which the legal team asserts supports Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s return to her senatorial duties.
READ MORE – Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan Serves Recall Judgment to NASS
However, the Senate, through a statement issued in Abuja by Senator Yemi Adaramodu, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, maintained that the court’s judgment does not impose a binding obligation on the Senate to reinstate the senator.
According to Adaramodu, the judgment only contained advisory remarks regarding the length of Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension, but did not constitute an enforceable directive.
“The learned judge, Justice Binta Nyako, merely offered advisory observations concerning the duration of the suspension. These are not binding orders and do not in any way diminish the Senate’s constitutional powers as granted under Section 60 of the 1999 Constitution,” Adaramodu clarified.
The Senate further stressed that the Certified True Copy of the Enrolled Order from the court contained no explicit or mandatory directive ordering the immediate recall of Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan.
It emphasized that the chamber retains full constitutional authority to oversee and discipline its members in accordance with established procedures.
While acknowledging the court’s pronouncements, the Senate pointed out that no declaratory reliefs or injunctive orders were issued compelling it to act on the matter without recourse to its internal governance structures.
The leadership assured that it would carefully review the court’s observations within the context of the Constitution before reaching a decision.
“The Senate remains committed to upholding constitutional democracy, respecting judicial independence, and adhering to the rule of law,” the statement added. “We caution against hasty interpretations of the court’s remarks or misapplication of constitutional provisions.”
The Senate also assured that its final decision regarding the matter will be officially communicated to Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan and the general public in due course, following a comprehensive and constitutionally guided review.