Akpoti-Uduaghan Urged To Steer Clear Of National Assembly Complex

Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has been cautioned to await the enrolled order of court judgment to determine her fate before resuming her seat at the Senate.

The widely reported statement attributed to the Senator, wherein she promised to resume plenary on Tuesday, has also been described as misleading and capable of escalating to a breakdown of order.

Counsel representing the Senate, Paul Daudu SAN cautioned the Senator in a letter dated 5th July, 2025 and addressed to her Counsel, Jibrin Okutepa SAN.

ALSO READ: Coalition: Court Asked To Sack Senator Mark-Led Interim Leadership Of ADC

Full letter:

RE: PUBLIC STATEMENTS BY SENATOR NATASHA AKPOTI-UDUAGHAN PURPORTING THE FEDERAL HIGH COURT NULLIFIED HER SUSPENSION – NEED FOR CAUTION PENDING RELEASE OF ENROLLED ORDER

We write as Counsel representing the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in the suit filed by your client, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, before the Federal High Court, Abuja, presided over by Hon. Justice Binta Nyako and determined on the 4th day of July 2025.

It has come to our attention via multiple online platforms and media blogs that a video is currently circulating in which your client, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, is seen addressing her supporters and asserting that, based on the judgment of the Honourable Court, she will resume her legislative duties at the Senate next Tuesday. According to the statements made in the said video, she alleges that the Court, in its judgment, gave an order directing the Senate to recall her from suspension.

As officers of the Court who were present during the delivery of the judgment, we are constrained to set the record straight. The judgment of the Honourable Justice Binta Nyako, while affirming the constitutional authority of the Senate to discipline its members, did not contain any express order setting aside or nullifying the six-month suspension imposed on your client. What the Court delivered in relation to the suspension was an opinion, an obiter dicta, that the six-month suspension may be considered excessive in light of its impact on the constituents’ right to representation. This, however, was not crystallised into any binding or enforceable relief or order.

The assertion now being circulated publicly by your client and some segments of the media, suggesting that the Senate has been ordered to recall her, is not only misleading but capable of generating confusion and tension within the legislative environment. We must all act with caution and responsibility to avoid any escalation that could lead to a breakdown of order or institutional disrespect for the judiciary and the legislature.

We note that as of today’s date, the enrolled order of the judgment is yet to be made available to the parties. Until same is obtained, relied upon, and duly examined, it is prudent that no party takes any step on the assumption of the existence of an order which is not borne out of the actual pronouncement of the Court.

We respectfully urge your good selves, in the spirit of collegiality, professionalism, and for the sake of peace and institutional decorum, to advise your client accordingly and prevail on her to refrain from attempting to resume legislative duties until the enrolled order is released and properly reviewed by all parties. This is not only to avoid contemptuous conduct but to ensure that all actions taken henceforth align strictly with the actual tenor and intendment of the judgment.

We believe this advisory is a responsible and preemptive step to prevent disorder, misinterpretation, and unnecessary constitutional conflict in the National Assembly.

Please accept the assurances of our highest regards.

Yours faithfully,

For: PAUL DAUDU, SAN & CO.

Paul Daudu, SAN

Principal Partner