In a searing third open letter, legal scholar and former staff of the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS), Dr. Tonye Clinton Jaja, has launched a fresh salvo at Dr. Monday O. Ubani, SAN, accusing the Senate President’s Legal Adviser of legislative incompetence, constitutional violations, and professional underperformance.
![](https://thenigerialawyer.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/2026-IDRI-Masterclass.png")
Titled “Third Open Letter to Dr. Ubani: How Hon. Justice Binta Nyako’s Judgment Is an Indictment…”, the letter was released on Sunday and directly criticizes Dr. Ubani for what Dr. Jaja calls “failure to advise the Senate leadership in accordance with constitutional provisions,” specifically Sections 63 of the 1999 Constitution and Section 14(2) of the Legislative Houses (Powers and Privileges) Act, 2018.
Citing the July 4, 2025 judgment of Hon. Justice Binta Nyako in the case of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, Dr. Jaja argues that the ruling was not just a condemnation of the six-month suspension meted out to the senator but a legal and professional indictment of Dr. Ubani himself. He claims the judgment exposes Ubani’s lack of qualification as a legislative lawyer.
“If you were a qualified legislative lawyer, you would have advised the Senate against an unconstitutional six-month suspension,” Jaja wrote, referencing Dr. Ubani’s presence at Senate Committee hearings chaired by Senator Neda Imasuen, who oversaw the disciplinary process.
He further noted that the judgment highlighted the need for a comprehensive review of the Senate Standing Orders, 2023—a responsibility he insists should have been carried out by Dr. Ubani since his appointment.
In a sharp rebuke, Jaja accused Dr. Ubani of fomenting litigation rather than fostering sound legislative reform, stating:
“Instead, you have spent the entire period fermenting litigation and instigating the Senate President to impose illegal suspensions on senators and NILDS staff who hold contrary opinions.”
The open letter also questions legislative productivity under the Senate President’s legal team, revealing that only three bills were sponsored by the Senate President since 2023—of which the fourth, the National Institute for Creative Economy Bill, was authored by Jaja himself prior to his exit from NILDS.
To support legislative development, Jaja disclosed the completion of a new book “Annotations of the Standing Orders of the Senate, 2023”, co-authored with a team of lawyers from Nigeria and Lesotho, and offered Ubani the chance to contribute a chapter “if you ask nicely.”
He urged Dr. Ubani to consider enrolling in formal legislative drafting programs run by the University of Benin and NILDS, and undergo mentorship under seasoned legislative drafters such as Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba, SAN.
Jaja concluded by affirming that becoming a legislative lawyer requires formal training, patience, and humility, not media appearances or proximity to power.
“You cannot qualify as a legislative lawyer by association, media blitz, or political muscle. There is no shortcut,” he declared.
He also encouraged Dr. Ubani to support an initiative by the Association of Legislative Drafting and Advocacy Practitioners (ALDRAP), which seeks to establish a regulatory council for legislative counsel in Nigeria.
[A MUST HAVE] Evidence Act Demystified With Recent And Contemporary Cases And Materials
Available now for NGN 40,000 at ASC Publications, 10, Boyle Street, Onikan, Lagos. Beside High Court, TBS. Email publications@ayindesanni.com or WhatsApp +2347056667384. Purchase Link: https://paystack.com/buy/evidence-act-complete-annotation
______________________________________________________________________ “Enhance Legal Practice With Authoritative Reports” — Alexander Payne Offers Comprehensive Law Reports, Spanning Over A Century Of Nigerian Jurisprudence
Interested buyers are encouraged to place their orders and enquiries via:
0704 444 4777, 0704 444 4999, 0818 199 9888
Website: www.alexandernigeria.com
