Natasha: Court Has Not Served Us CTC Of Judgement, Says Senate.
The Senate said on Sunday that the Federal High Court in Abuja had not served the certified true copy of the judgement that annulled Kogi Central Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s six-month ban.
On Friday, Justice Binta Nyako ordered the Senate to reinstate Natasha, calling her suspension disproportionate.
However, Senate spokesman Senator Yemi Adaramodu stated that while the upper body has acknowledged the court’s decision, it has yet to serve the CTC.
“Since no party to the case has been officially served the enrolled order of the judgement, none can enforce any perceived order or relief,” the judge ruled.
“The Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria observes that the Federal High Court in Abuja gave judgement on July 4, 2025, in the matter filed by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan. However, the Senate has yet to be served with the Certified True Copy (CTC) of the aforementioned judgement.
“Our legal representatives, who were present at the hearings, confirmed that the entire judgement was not read in open court.
“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.”
Adaramodu, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, declared that, “Pending receipt and examination of the CTC, and acting on counsel’s advice, the Senate shall refrain from taking any actions that may jeopardise its legal position.”
“The Senate remains committed to upholding the rule of law and will act strictly in accordance with the provisions of the Federal Republic of Nigeria’s Constitution following full clarification of the court’s pronouncements.” We urge the public to stay patient and confident in the Senate’s commitment to due process.”
See the complete statement below:
Statement from the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria
The Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria acknowledges that the Federal High Court in Abuja issued a judgement on July 4, 2025, in the matter filed by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan. However, the Senate has yet to be served with the Certified True Copy (CTC) of the aforementioned judgement.
Our legal representatives, who were present during the proceedings, confirmed that the entire judgement was not read in open court. As a result, we have formally applied to the CTC for a comprehensive examination and informed judgement of the appropriate legal response, especially given the confusion surrounding whether the court issued a direct order nullifying Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension.
Since neither party to the matter has been legally served with the enrolled order of the verdict, no one can enforce any imagined order or relief.
The Senate shall refrain from adopting any actions that may jeopardise its legal position while the CTC is being received and examined, and shall act on the advice of counsel. The Senate remains committed to maintaining the rule of law and will operate scrupulously in accordance with the provisions of Nigeria’s Federal Republic Constitution once the court’s rulings have been fully clarified.
We urge the public to stay patient and confident in the Senate’s commitment to due process.
Senator Yemi Adaramodu, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs.