Michael Numa (SAN) urges Senate to obey court ruling on Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan Senate reinstatement, warning of legal action if the judgment is ignored

Michael Numa (SAN), legal counsel to Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has urged the National Assembly to comply fully with the Federal High Court’s judgment ordering her reinstatement to the Senate.

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The judgment, delivered by Justice Binta Nyako on 4 July 2025, nullified the Senate’s six-month suspension of Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan. The judge described the disciplinary action—taken after she addressed the chamber from a seat not assigned to her—as excessive and constitutionally flawed.

Numa, in a formal letter dated 14 July 2025, addressed to Mr Charles Yoila of the Legal Services Directorate, explained that the ruling must be treated as binding. “Order 12 of the judgment states the Senate ‘should recall the Plaintiff.’

That phrasing does not reduce the legal force of the order,” Numa said. “When read within the context of the full judgment, it becomes clear the court granted mandatory relief.”

The senior advocate added that the court had determined both the substance of the case and the validity of the senator’s suspension.

“It voided the findings and recommendations of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions,” he said. “This amounts to a legal obligation on the part of the Senate to act.”

Citing Section 287(3) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), Numa stressed that public authorities are required to enforce court rulings.

He further referenced Section 318, which defines a court decision broadly to include “judgment, decree, order, conviction, sentence or recommendation.”

He also pointed to the recent 2025 Supreme Court ruling in Ecobank v. Tempo Energy, which upheld that certain recommendations may carry mandatory effect depending on judicial context.

Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central, was suspended on 6 March 2025. Despite the judgment, the Senate has yet to allow her return.

The Senate President has appealed the ruling, and she remains barred from legislative activity.

Numa called on the National Assembly to “uphold its constitutional responsibility” and warned that the legal team may seek enforcement through further court action.

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Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan has announced plans to resume her legislative duties on 22 July 2025, regardless of the ongoing delay in compliance.