Nigeria

The Nigerian Senate has formally acknowledged the July 4 ruling of the Federal High Court in Abuja, which nullified the suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan. However, the upper legislative chamber says it will hold off on any action until it officially receives the Certified True Copy (CTC) of the court’s judgment.

In a statement released on Sunday in Abuja, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Senator Yemi Adaramodu, confirmed the Senate’s legal team was present during the court proceedings. However, he noted that the full judgment was not delivered in open session.

“The Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria acknowledges that judgment was delivered on July 4th by the Federal High Court, Abuja, in the suit instituted by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan. However, the Senate has yet to be served with the certified true copy (CTC) of the said judgment,” Adaramodu stated.

He explained that the legal team has already applied for the CTC, and a comprehensive review of the ruling will be undertaken once it is received to guide the Senate on its next steps.

“Consequently, we have formally applied for the CTC to enable a thorough review and informed determination of the appropriate legal response, particularly in view of the uncertainty surrounding whether the court made any direct order nullifying the suspension of Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan,” the statement continued.

The Senate emphasized that no party involved in the matter, including the upper chamber itself, has been officially served with the enrolled order of the judgment. As a result, enforcement of the ruling cannot commence until the court’s directive is formally received and reviewed.

“Pending receipt and examination of the CTC, and acting on the advice of counsel, the Senate shall refrain from taking any step that may prejudice its legal position,” Adaramodu said, urging the public to remain patient as the legal process runs its course.

Meanwhile, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central, has announced her intention to return to the Senate this Tuesday following the court’s ruling. In a video posted to her social media platforms, she expressed gratitude to her supporters and described the judgment as a hard-fought victory.

“I thank you for your unwavering support. I am glad we are victorious today. We shall resume in the Senate on Tuesday by the grace of God,” she said.

The Federal High Court’s ruling effectively nullified the Senate’s decision to suspend Akpoti-Uduaghan, describing the disciplinary action as excessive, unconstitutional, and lacking legal justification. Delivering the judgment, Justice Binta Nyako ordered her immediate reinstatement to her legislative duties.

In addition to invalidating the suspension, the court also imposed a ₦5 million fine on Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan for contempt of court. The fine was linked to a Facebook post she made in March, which the court ruled violated an earlier interim injunction barring public commentary on the matter. While Akpoti-Uduaghan’s legal team argued that the post concerned a personal, unrelated issue, Justice Nyako concluded that it was connected to the ongoing legal proceedings.

In her ruling, Justice Nyako highlighted that the suspension of an elected representative such as Akpoti-Uduaghan left the people of Kogi Central without proper representation in the Senate, which contravenes the provisions of Nigeria’s constitution. The court also urged the National Assembly to reconsider its disciplinary procedures and align them with democratic standards that protect the rights and privileges of elected officials.

Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended from the Senate in March 2024 following a heated dispute within the chamber and subsequent allegations made against Senate President Godswill Akpabio. The incident sparked widespread debate about legislative discipline, transparency, and the rights of lawmakers to dissent without fear of reprisal.

While the court’s ruling marks a legal victory for Akpoti-Uduaghan, the Senate’s leadership maintains that it must formally review the certified judgment before determining its next course of action. As political watchers await the certified copy’s delivery and the Senate’s official response, attention will be focused on whether Akpoti-Uduaghan will indeed resume her duties this week as she has declared.

For now, the upper chamber insists it remains committed to upholding due process and the rule of law while protecting its institutional integrity.