The National Assembly has rejected a demand for payment of legal fees from the law firm of Chikaosolu Ojukwu and Company over its representation in the legal dispute involving Senator Natasha Akpoti Uduaghan, arguing that the Clerk to the National Assembly never engaged or authorized the firm.

In a written response, the National Assembly said the firm was instructed by the Office of the Senate President rather than the Clerk’s office, which it says is the recognized channel for engaging external lawyers on the institution’s behalf, and therefore declined liability for the claimed fees, advising the firm to seek payment from the office that issued the instruction.

Lead counsel Chikaosolu Ojukwu, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, rejected the position, arguing that his firm’s engagement by the Senate President was lawful and sufficient, and called on the Clerk and the Director of Legal Services to resign, accusing them of undermining the Senate President’s authority by disclaiming responsibility after the firm had already represented the Senate throughout the widely publicized case and secured a favorable Court of Appeal judgment. He said any procedural concerns should have been raised with the Senate President internally rather than communicated directly to his firm, and said he would pursue all available legal options while expressing confidence the Senate President would respond appropriately.