By Our Correspondent
The National Assembly has come under scrutiny following reports that legal practitioners who represented the Senate and Senate President Godswill Akpabio in the legal dispute involving Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan have allegedly not received payment for their services.
The lawyers, including Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs) who took part in defending the position of the Senate leadership, are said to have raised concerns over outstanding legal fees after handling the high-profile court proceedings.
The legal battle attracted widespread public attention after Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan challenged actions taken against her by the Senate, leading to a series of court proceedings that placed the powers of the legislature, constitutional rights of lawmakers, and internal parliamentary procedures under public debate.
The legal team representing the Senate and its leadership argued their position before the courts, defending the actions of the upper chamber and Senate President Akpabio. However, reports indicate that despite completing their role in the matter, the lawyers are still awaiting settlement of their professional fees.
One of the SANs involved, Awa Kalu, reportedly stated that he and another senior lawyer, Paul Dauda, handled the case but had not been paid by the National Assembly. The development has sparked fresh discussions about the administration of legal expenses within Nigeria’s legislative institution.
Legal observers say the issue raises important questions about the process of engaging private legal practitioners to represent public institutions and the responsibility of government bodies to honour financial commitments made to professionals who provide essential services.
The controversy comes at a time when public interest in the relationship between lawmakers, accountability, and institutional transparency remains high. Many Nigerians are watching closely for clarification from the National Assembly regarding the alleged unpaid fees and the steps being taken to resolve the matter.
Meanwhile, the dispute involving Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan and the Senate leadership continues to attract political and legal attention, with different stakeholders calling for respect for the rule of law, due process, and accountability in public affairs.
As pressure mounts for an explanation, the National Assembly is expected to address the allegations and provide clarity on whether outstanding payments are being processed or whether there are other reasons behind the reported delay.
