A constitutional law specialist, Dr. Tonye Clinton Jaja, has called on President Bola Tinubu to ensure compliance with a recent court ruling that prohibits Senate President Godswill Akpabio from leading Senate proceedings.
In an open letter dated July 8, 2025, Jaja also addressed the National Security Adviser (NSA), the Director-General of the State Security Service (DSS), the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), and all 109 senators, warning that any legislation passed under Akpabio’s leadership before September 2025 would be invalid.
The letter references a July 4, 2025, Federal High Court judgment by Justice Binta Nyako, which found Akpabio and Senator Neda Imasuen in breach of Section 63 of Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution.
Jaja cautioned that failure to enforce the ruling could lead to a breakdown of law and order. He emphasized that the court had instructed the Senate to revise its 2023 Standing Orders to comply with constitutional provisions.
Additionally, Jaja noted that Akpabio is set to testify as a prosecution witness in a case involving Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, scheduled for September 2025. Since no appeal has been filed against the court’s decision, Jaja argued that Akpabio is legally disqualified from presiding over Senate sessions until the case concludes.
He urged senators to follow Order 22 of the Senate’s Standing Orders by appointing an interim Senate President Pro Tempore to avoid further legal complications.
Jaja also highlighted an ongoing legislative deadlock, stating that the National Assembly has been inactive since 2024 due to the Senate’s failure to approve 146 bills from the House of Representatives, as mandated by Section 53 of the Constitution.
He revealed that proposals have been submitted to amend the Constitution, allowing either chamber to send bills directly to the president for assent—a measure aimed at preventing future legislative gridlocks caused by one chamber’s inaction.
The legal expert stressed that immediate action is necessary to avert a constitutional crisis and ensure the smooth functioning of Nigeria’s legislative processes.
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