While suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has recently filed an appeal against a Federal High Court judgment, sparking a controversy, a legal analyst, Dayo Fadugba, is urging the Senate not to be distracted from its constitutional responsibilities.
According to Fadugba, the court’s July 4, 2025, judgment did not grant any of the reliefs sought by Senator Natasha, and the Senate remains fully within its rights not to act on what he calls “mere judicial commentary”.
Fadugba admits that the court’s judgment dismissed all of Senator Natasha’s claims, including her challenge to the Senate’s decision to invite her to appear before the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions; her objection to the reassignment of her seat in the Senate chamber; and her claim that she cannot be disciplined by the Senate.
The court also found her guilty of contempt over a mocking post she published on Facebook, purporting to be an apology, and imposed specific sanctions.
The sanctions included payment of N5 million to the Federal Government, removal of the mocking post from her Facebook page, and publication of a sincere apology in two national newspapers and on her Facebook page.
Fadugba noted that despite not complying with the court’s orders, Senator Natasha went on to file a Notice of Appeal against aspects of the decision she found unfavorable.
Fadugba argues that her interpretation of the judgment as ordering her recall to the Senate, was a deliberate misrepresentation of the court’s decision.
Dayo Fadugba emphasized that the court’s remarks suggesting a review of Senate Standing Orders or the recall of the Senator were merely advisory opinions, not binding judicial orders.
In response to Senator Natasha’s appeal, a cross-appeal and an interlocutory application have been filed to preserve the dignity and independence of the Senate and prevent any disruptive consequences arising from the deliberate mischaracterization of the court’s decision.
Fadugba stresses that this cross-appeal is not political but a constitutional safeguard.
He urges the Senate to focus on its constitutional responsibilities, rather than getting entangled in unnecessary legal disputes.
As Fadugba aptly puts it, “the Legislature and particularly the Senate should not be distracted from its constitutional responsibilities”.