Legal analyst faults Senator Natasha’s recall claim

…Says court issued no such order

A legal analyst, Mr. Dayo Fadugba, has faulted suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s claim that the Federal High Court ordered her recall to the Senate, describing it as a deliberate misrepresentation of the judgment delivered by Justice Binta Nyako on July 4, 2025.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, Fadugba said the court categorically dismissed all the reliefs sought by Senator Natasha in the suit she filed to challenge her suspension and actions taken by the Senate.

He maintained that the judgment did not contain any positive or enforceable order mandating her return to the chamber.

“She lost across the board. The court rejected her challenge to the Senate’s decision to summon her before the Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions, dismissed her objection to the reassignment of her seat in the chamber, and ruled against her for attempting to speak from an unauthorised location in breach of Senate Standing Orders,” Fadugba stated.

According to him, Senator Natasha had invoked Order 10 to claim a privilege without complying with Orders 6(1) and (2), which govern sitting positions.

“That conduct was correctly found to be unparliamentary,” he said, adding that the court also dismissed her argument that she could not be subjected to Senate discipline.

Fadugba said the impression being created on social media by the suspended Senator and her supporters — that the court ordered her reinstatement — is not only false but legally flawed.

“No such order was made. What is being paraded as a court directive is a complete misreading of the judgment. The court merely made obiter dicta, which are non-binding judicial comments, not enforceable instructions,” he explained.

Despite the ruling, Senator Natasha was seen celebrating with supporters and making public claims suggesting victory.

“It was an attempt to reframe a judicial defeat as a political win.What followed was an appeal against the very judgment she had falsely portrayed as favourable,” he said.

Fadugba further revealed that the court found Senator Natasha guilty of contempt. As part of the judgment, she was ordered to pay ₦5 million to the Federal Government, take down a satirical ‘apology’ from her Facebook page, and publish a genuine apology in two national newspapers and on social media.

“To date, she has complied with none of these orders,” Fadugba stated. “Rather, she has embarked on a misinformation campaign, claiming that the judge’s comments amount to a binding recall order. That is not how the law works.”

He also expressed concern over the growing tendency of litigants to convert legal setbacks into media spectacles.

“This attempt to politicise a clear-cut judicial outcome undermines the integrity of the courts and misleads the public. We cannot allow social media stunts to replace respect for due process.”

In response to her appeal and claims of a recall order, Fadugba confirmed that a cross-appeal and interlocutory application have been filed to prevent any distortion of the judgment.

“This is not a political manoeuvre but a necessary step to preserve constitutional order and legislative independence. The Senate cannot be forced to act on statements that carry no legal authority.”

He reiterated that Justice Nyako’s comments about a possible review of Senate Standing Orders were merely advisory and could not form the basis of any enforcement action.

“The judgment spoke for itself. Nothing in it directed the Senate to reverse its decision or reinstate the Senator.”

Fadugba concluded by affirming the Senate’s commitment to discipline, order, and support for President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

“The Nigerian Senate remains focused on its constitutional duties and will not be distracted by misrepresentations or media narratives. Governance must continue with clarity, not confusion.”