The Senate has acknowledged the recent court ruling concerning Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, but says it has not yet received the Certified True Copy (CTC) of the judgment.
In a statement released in Abuja on Sunday, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Senator Yemi Adaramodu, noted that the upper legislative chamber is aware of the judgment delivered on July 4th by the Federal High Court in Abuja.
The judgment was in relation to a suit filed by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, but according to the Senate, they cannot act on it until they officially receive the certified document.
Senator Adaramodu explained that although the judgment was delivered, the full details were not read in open court. “Our legal representatives, who were in attendance at the proceedings, have confirmed that the complete judgment was not read in open court,” he said.
He further noted that the Senate has already applied for the CTC so it can properly study the contents before making any decisions on the matter.
He stressed that the upper chamber would need to conduct a careful review before determining its next legal move, especially since it is still unclear whether the judgment included any direct order to overturn Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension.
“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,” the statement read.
Senator Adaramodu added that no action would be taken for now, as none of the parties involved has been served with the enrolled order of the judgment. “Since no party to the case has been officially served the enrolled order of the judgement, none can enforce any perceived order or relief,” he stated.
He assured Nigerians that the Senate would remain committed to upholding the rule of law and act in line with the Nigerian Constitution once the full details of the court’s decision are made available.
“Pending receipt and examination of the CTC, and acting on the advice of counsel, the Senate shall refrain from taking any step that may prejudice its legal position,” he noted.
