***Say confusing court rulings undermine rule of law, call for urgent reform
By Fatima Ndagi
The House of Representatives has raised alarm over the growing trend of ambiguous court judgments, warning that unclear legal pronouncements are creating confusion, eroding trust in the judiciary, and fueling political tension—citing the ongoing suspension saga of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan as a key example.
Raising the concern at plenary on Tuesday, Hon. Clement Jimbo (APC, Akwa Ibom) invoked Order 8 Rule 6 of the House Standing Orders to decry what he described as “increasingly contradictory and vague judgments that leave too much room for interpretation.”
“As lawmakers, we have a duty to highlight these judicial lapses,” Jimbo told the chamber. “When judgments are not clear, justice is delayed—or worse, denied. This trend is not only dangerous, it is corrosive to the rule of law.”
Jimbo referenced the lingering legal battle between Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan and the Senate leadership, noting that the lack of clarity in court rulings has allowed for selective compliance and deepened public mistrust.
“There is an urgent need to recalibrate the way judgments are written and delivered—let them be clear, precise, and unambiguous so their intent is not distorted,” he added.
The motion, though not binding on the judiciary, was unanimously adopted by lawmakers who echoed similar frustrations. Several members described the current legal climate as “murky” and called for increased collaboration between the judiciary and legislature to uphold the integrity of the justice system.
This comes as the Senate continues to stall Akpoti-Uduaghan’s return to plenary, despite a court ruling in her favour. Her suspension and the Senate’s controversial handling of it have drawn national scrutiny, with legal experts and civil society groups demanding accountability.
Observers say the House resolution may not compel judicial reform overnight, but it sends a clear message: the legislative arm is watching—and the era of silent tolerance for legal vagueness may be coming to an end.