National Assembly Says Court Did Not Mandate Akpoti-Uduaghan’s Reinstatement

The National Assembly has stated that the recent Federal High Court ruling in Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s favour does not compel her immediate reinstatement to the Senate.

In a letter dated July 14 and addressed to her lawyer, Michael Numa, the Assembly clarified that the judgement delivered by Justice Binta Nyako on July 4 was advisory, not binding. The letter, signed by Charles Yoila, Director of Litigation and Counselling on behalf of the Clerk to the National Assembly, noted that “no order was made directing the Senate, Senate President, or National Assembly to reinstate Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan.”

The clarification follows a letter from Akpoti-Uduaghan’s legal team notifying the Senate of her intention to resume legislative duties and urging compliance with the judgment to avoid contempt proceedings.

The Senate’s position aligns with an earlier statement by its spokesperson, Yemi Adaramodu, who also confirmed that the certified copy of the judgment carried no mandatory reinstatement directive.

While Justice Nyako ruled that suspending an elected lawmaker for six months denies constituents representation, the judgement only advised the Senate to reconsider her suspension. It did not compel action.

Additionally, the court found Akpoti-Uduaghan guilty of civil contempt over a satirical social media post and fined her ₦5 million. She was ordered to publish an apology in two national newspapers and on her Facebook page. She has since appealed that part of the ruling.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio has also filed a cross-appeal, arguing the court overstepped its authority and that the senator failed to exhaust internal redress procedures before taking legal action.

The legal dispute now heads to the Court of Appeal.