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Natasha’s Counsel Writes Senate Over Court Judgment 

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The legal counsel to the Senator representing Kogi Central, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has faulted the National Assembly’s interpretation of a Federal High Court’s judgment which ordered her reinstatement to the Senate, insisting that the judgment was binding and must be complied with in full.
In a rejoinder dated July 14, and addressed to the Director of Litigation and Counselling, Legal Services Directorate of the National Assembly, Mr Charles Yoila, Sen. Akpoti-Uduaghan’s legal team, led by  Mr Michael Numa (SAN), accused the Senate of misinterpreting the decision of the Federal High Court in Suit No: FHC/ABJ/CS/384/2025 — Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan v. Clerk of National Assembly & 3 Ors.
The lawyers responded to an earlier correspondence from the National Assembly dated the same day, in which the Senate purportedly treated the court’s judgment as advisory. They argued that the enrolled judgment was not suggestive, but declaratory and mandatory in nature.
“The preamble of the enrolled order begins with the words ‘it is hereby ordered’ and proceeds to enumerate 12 distinct and substantive orders,” the letter stated.
“Of particular relevance is Order 12 which directed that the Senate should recall the plaintiff. While the word ‘should’ is used, the context of the full judgment supports a binding construction”, it argued.
The legal team noted that the plaintiff had sought, among other reliefs, an order nullifying the recommendations and findings of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions, which had led to her suspension. They further referenced that the plaintiff’s application for a mandatory injunction was heard alongside the substantive matter and was incorporated into the composite judgment.
Referencing Order 4 of the enrolled judgment, Mr Numa maintained that the court had adjudged the suspension of Sen. Akpoti-Uduaghan as unconstitutional, excessive, and ultra vires.
He contended that, pursuant to Section 1(3) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), the Senate’s action was null and void to the extent of its inconsistency with constitutional provisions.
The letter made reference to Section 287(3) of the Constitution, which mandates all authorities and persons to give effect to the decisions of courts. It also invoked Section 318, which defines a court decision to include judgment, decree, order, conviction, sentence, or recommendation.
To reinforce the legal position, the letter cited *Ecobank (Nig.) Ltd v. Tempo Energy (Nig.) Ltd* (2025) 9 NWLR (Pt. 1994) 125 at 144–145, where the Supreme Court held that recommendations arising from adjudicated disputes may constitute binding judicial acts.
“The judgment in this case falls squarely within the definition of enforceable judicial determinations,” Mr Numa argued, urging the Legal Services Directorate to revisit the enrolled order and advise the Senate to comply accordingly.
He emphasised that compliance with the judgment was not optional or discretionary, but a constitutional obligation binding on the Senate under the principle of separation of powers and judicial supremacy.
In a final note, the legal team informed the National Assembly that Sen. Akpoti-Uduaghan intends to resume her legislative duties on July 22, especially in light of the recent passing of former President Muhammadu Buhari, describing the development as a moment of national transition.
The letter concluded with a caution that the embattled senator reserves the right to pursue all legal avenues to enforce her rights should the Senate continue to defy the judgment.
This development sets the tone for a potential legal showdown between the judiciary and the legislature over the enforcement of court orders, especially in politically sensitive matters involving elected representatives.

 

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Rivers Assembly Resumes Sitting After Six-Month Suspension

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The Rivers State House of Assembly yesterday resumed plenary session after a six-month state of emergency imposed on the state by President Bola Tinubu elapsed on Wednesday midnight.

President Bola Tinubu had lifted the emergency rule on September 17, with the Governor of the state, Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Ngozi Odu, and members of the state assembly asked to resume duties on September 18.

The plenary was presided over by the Speaker of the House, Martins Amaewhule, at the conference hall located within the legislative quarters in Port Harcourt, the state capital.

The conference hall has served as the lawmakers’ temporary chamber since their official chamber at the assembly complex on Moscow Road was torched and later pulled down by the state government.

The outgone sole administrator of the state, Ibok-Ete Ibas, could not complete the reconstruction of the assembly complex as promised.

Recall that on March 18, President Bola Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers following the prolonged political standoff between Fubara and members of the House of Assembly loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.

He subsequently suspended the governor, his deputy, Ngozi Odu, and lawmakers for six months and installed a sole administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd.), to manage the state’s affairs.

The decision sparked widespread controversy, with critics accusing the president of breaching the Constitution.

However, others hailed the move as a necessary and pragmatic step.

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2027: Bayelsa APC Adopts Tinubu As Sole Candidate  … As Lokpobiri, Lyon Shun Meeting 

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The Bayelsa State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress(APC) have passed a ‘Vote of Confidence’ on President Bola Tinubu and also adopted him as sole candidate of the party for the 2027 presidential polls.
Speaking in Yenagoa, the state capital, during the ’12th Expanded Stakeholders’ meeting of the party, the APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, stressed the importance of the state’s chapter of the party to its national leadership.
Represented by the party’s Deputy National Chairman (South), Chief Emma Eneukwu, the National Chairman urged all stakeholders to unite to secure victory for the party, come 2027 general elections, adding that the party will give the state chapter the necessary support it requires to win in all future polls.
He appealed to aggrieved leaders of the party in the state to jettison their differences and tow the path of peace, describing the reconciliatory move as commendable while promising that the party’s national leadership will do all within its powers to ensure its success.
“President Tinubu is a pragmatic leader, and a progressive determined to transform Nigeria for the betterment of all. The developmental strides recorded by the  president is attracting governors and National Assembly members from the opposition into the APC.
“We’ll ensure that the interest of the
party is managed. Bayelsa is important to our party, and we must do whatever we have to do, for the victory of the party in the state. We have a very good candidate in the president and that is why the South- South governors are taking the lead to join our party in support of the president for his reelection”, he said.
“Mr. President is on the move to take Nigerians to the promised land, and the only way to achieve this is in unity. The leadership of the party in the state need to show more tolerance and carry everyone along. Other state governors in other regions that are not in our party will soon join us, so that if the president is returned, everything will go smoothly.
“I want the former governor of the state, Chief Timipre Sylva, to personally lead the reconciliation so we can achieve the unity we desire. Forget all differences and bring everyone together”, he added.
Also speaking, the leader of the state chapter of the party  and former Minister of State, Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva, noted that the national secretariat of the party  had not treated the state fairly, noting that if the national leadership of the APC had given the state the support it needed, the party would have achieved more.
Chief Sylva called on absentee leaders of the party at the meeting, particularly Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, and former Governor-elect of the State, Chief David Lyon, to close ranks and work with other leaders to move the party forward.
“I wonder why the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri and former Governor-elect, Chief David Lyon are not here. We’re all Bayelsans, we’re all Ijaw people, they should come and let’s work together for the greater interest of the party. We did well in 2023, but not what we expected.
“2027 is already a done deal, if we have the support of the national leaders of the party. Today we’re more ready than ever before.The only thing we lack is support from the party at the national level. With your support we’ll be the strongest, and nobody will be able to stand us in elections”, Chief Sylva said.
In his remarks, the Managing Director /Chief Executive Officer of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Chief Samuel Ogbuku, noted that most people thought the party was no more in existence, but that the NWC could see that the party is alive and kicking.
“Reconciliation is on and those in charge are doing well. The party has members in the state who were ‘victory-hungry”, he said.
Earlier, State Chairman of the party, Dr Dennis Otiotio, said the meeting was to critically appraise the performance of the president and also adopt him as the sole candidate of the party for the 2027 presidential election.
By Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa
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Alleged Smear Campaign Against Yakubu, CSOs Demand Apology From Uzodimma

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The Transparency and Accountability Rights Initiative, a coalition of Nigerian Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), has issued a strong condemnation of Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma, accusing him of orchestrating a malicious smear campaign against the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Mahmood Yakubu, and development advocate Dr. Chima Amadi.

During a press conference held in Owerri, the coalition called the campaign a “dangerous and shameful display” designed to distract the public from the governor’s performance in office.

The CSOs directly linked the Greater Imo Initiative (GII) —the group that made the allegations on September 4, 2025—to Governor Uzodimma, describing the group as his “mouthpiece and attack dog.”

“Every word spoken against INEC was spoken on his behalf.

“By falsely alleging that Professor Yakubu has an alliance with Dr. Amadi to compromise the 2027 elections, Uzodimma has not only maligned a man of proven integrity but also assaulted the very foundation of our democracy”, said Dr Agbo Frederick, speaking for the coalition.

The coalition described Professor Yakubu as a “beacon of electoral professionalism” and called the attempt to soil his reputation “defamatory and a national security risk.”

They also defended Dr. Amadi, a “respected development scholar,” stating that the governor’s accusations were “laughable, desperate, and dangerous.”

The CSOs see the motive behind the campaign as an attempt to “silence the dissent, intimidate the opposition, and divert attention from the governor’s abysmal record in office.”

The coalition issued four key demands to Governor Uzodimma: An immediate retraction of the false and defamatory allegations against Professor Mahmood Yakubu and Dr. Chima Amadi.

  • A public apology to both men within seven days, to be published in at least three national newspapers and broadcast on major television networks.
  • An end to diversionary tactics and proxy propaganda.
  • A renewed focus on governance, including addressing insecurity, unemployment, and poverty in Imo State.

The CSOs warned that failure to comply would force them to “review our position with a view to seeking legal redress from Governor Uzodimma for defamation, false accusation, and reckless endangerment of lives.”

“Governor Uzodimma must be reminded that he did not find himself in the seat of power to chase shadows.

“We call on all Nigerians to reject Uzodimma’s diversionary antics as they are nothing short of desperate plots by a government terrified of accountability”, the statement concluded.

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