A legal confrontation is brewing between Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan and the Senate, as her legal team has issued a stern rejoinder warning the Senate to comply with a Federal High Court judgment ordering her immediate recall—or risk legal consequences.

In a detailed response dated July 14, 2025, addressed to the National Assembly’s Director of Litigation and Counselling, Charles Yoila, Esq., her lead counsel Michael Jonathan Numa, SAN, described the Senate’s interpretation of the court judgment as misguided and unconstitutional.

“The court’s order is not advisory. It is binding. The use of the phrase ‘IT IS HEREBY ORDERED’ followed by twelve distinct directives clearly affirms its mandatory nature,” the letter stated.

At the centre of the dispute is Order 12 of the court’s judgment, which directed that “the Senate should recall the Plaintiff.” While the Senate appears to interpret the use of “should” as optional, Numa argues that read in full context—and against the backdrop of constitutional provisions and precedents—the directive is legally enforceable.

Citing Sections 63, 318, and 287(3) of the Constitution, the letter asserts that the Senate’s failure to act would amount to flagrant disobedience of a lawful court order.

“Recommendations arising from adjudicated disputes constitute binding judicial acts under Nigerian law. Nature abhors a vacuum,” the letter read.

It warned that the continued refusal to reinstate Akpoti-Uduaghan would invite further legal action to enforce her rights.

Her suspension, which stemmed from recommendations by the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions, was declared excessive and unconstitutional by the court. The judgment also nullified the Senate’s disciplinary actions during the pendency of the matter.

The legal team emphasised that the court had ruled on the legality of the suspension itself, not just the procedure surrounding it, making the Senate’s inaction a violation of both the court’s order and the Constitution.

“By virtue of Section 1(3) of the Constitution, any law or action inconsistent with its provisions is null and void. The judgment leaves no room for political discretion,” Numa wrote.

Significantly, the letter disclosed that Akpoti intends to resume plenary duties on July 22, 2025, with or without Senate facilitation.