The Senate has faulted efforts by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (PDP, Kogi Central) to return to the Red Chamber on Tuesday.
The Senate said it relies on legal counsel over the ruling of the trial judge Justice Binta Nyako in the matter between it and the lawmaker to puncture the attempt of the embattled Senator.
The judgment of the court,the Senate said, didn’t empower Senator Natasha to resume legislative functions.
In a statement signed by the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Senator Yemi Adaramodu,the lawmakers said there is no legal basis upon which Senator Natasha can resume legislative duties at this time.
It said: “Nowhere in the judgment did the Court issue a declaratory or injunctive order mandating her recall.”
“The attention of the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria has been drawn to a letter dated 11th July 2025 authored by the law firm of Numa S.A.N. & Co. on behalf of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, addressed to the leadership of the National Assembly.
“The said letter hinges its request on Section 318 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and purports that the judgment of Hon. Justice Binta Nyako delivered on 4th July 2025 constitutes a binding order directing the immediate recall of the suspended Senator to the Senate chamber on Tuesday, 15th July 2025.
“The Senate wishes to state categorically and for the avoidance of doubt that the Certified True Copy of the Enrolled Order did not contain any express or mandatory order directing the recall or reinstatement of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan before the expiration of her suspension.”
It explained that the learned judge merely made advisory observations on the length of the suspension, adding that such observations are not enforceable or binding in law.
It also pointed out that the enrolled court order demonstrated that the Senate’s disciplinary powers under Section 60 of the Constitution remain intact and were not invalidated.
It added that the Senate will deliberate on the judgment and “consequently take a constitutionally informed position on the matter and convey the outcome to the affected Senator and the public.
The statement quoted that:“The Senate remains committed to the principles of constitutional democracy, judicial independence, and the rule of law. Subsequently, it will not allow its processes or integrity to be undermined by premature interpretations of ongoing legal proceedings or by misapplications of constitutional provisions.”
