Abuja: A legal practitioner, Ken Harries, says Sen. Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan cannot enforce a judgment of the lower court in which she has filed an appeal. The senior lawyer stated this in Abuja in reaction to the Kogi Central senator's alleged invasion of the National Assembly (NASS) on Tuesday to resume her legislative duties.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Mrs. Akpoti-Uduaghan had, on Tuesday, stormed NASS, along with her supporters, claiming to want to enforce the judgment of the Federal High Court (FHC) sitting in Abuja, which she claimed ordered her recall. The lawmaker had recently filed a notice of appeal at the Court of Appeal in Abuja, challenging the judgment of Justice Binta Nyako of FHC that found her guilty of contempt and imposed a fine of N5 million.
Reacting to the development on Tuesday, Harries accused Akpoti-Uduaghan of attempting to appeal the July 4 judgment while still trying to enforce it. The lawyer questioned if Akpoti-Uduaghan's actions of allegedly taking the law into her own hands were appropriate for enforcing a judgment.
Harries expressed his disbelief at Akpoti-Uduaghan's conduct, stating that in his years of legal practice, he had not witnessed such behavior from a federal lawmaker. He criticized the senator for allegedly invading the National Assembly with her supporters under the pretext of enforcing a judgment, highlighting that there are established procedures for judgment enforcement.
Harries recalled that Akpoti-Uduaghan filed an appeal against the judgment, challenging its validity and seeking to have it set aside. He questioned the rationale behind her decision to invade the National Assembly and sought clarification on which judgment she intended to enforce.
The lawyer further queried whether Akpoti-Uduaghan had complied with the court's orders, including paying the N5 million fine and publishing a public apology. He argued that if she failed to comply with these orders, she lacked the moral standing to accuse the Senate leadership of lawlessness.
Harries emphasized the importance of adhering to legal procedures and respecting the rule of law, suggesting that Akpoti-Uduaghan's legal advisors should guide her accordingly. He concluded by stating that those who seek justice must approach the situation with integrity.