ABUJA, Nigeria — The Federal High Court for Abuja don finally vacate di earlier order wey stop di suspension of Kogi Central Senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, by di Senate. Justice Obiora Egwuatu make di ruling on Wednesday after e don hear arguments from both sides in di case.
Akpoti-Uduaghan take di matter to court through an ex-parte motion, requesting make dem stop di Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Code of Conduct, wey Senator Neda Imasuem dey chair, from investigating allegations wey dey against am. Di senator name di Clerk of di National Assembly, di Senate, im President, and di committee chairman as di first to fourth defendants for di suit wey dem mark as FHC/ABJ/CS/384/2025.
Before dis ruling, Justice Egwuatu, on March 4, grant an interim injunction wey stop any disciplinary action against her, declaring any action wey dem take while di case dey pending as null and void. But on March 6, di Senate still go ahead suspend her for six months, citing misconduct during di plenary wey happen on February 20.
Following di suspension, Akpoti-Uduaghan file contempt charge, claiming sey di Senate disobey court order. However, Senator Neda Imasuem lawyer, Chikaosolu Ojukwu (SAN), challenge di court order, saying it dey vague and e go touch di Senate constitutional duties, disrupt dem work and violate di doctrine of separation of powers. Akpoti-Uduaghan lawyer, Michael Numa (SAN), dey argue make di court dismiss di Senate’s application, insisting dat di defendants don deliberately disobey di active court order.
Ruling on di matter, Justice Egwuatu vacate di earlier order, allowing di Senate actions to be valid. Di case don adjourn to March 25 for di hearing of all pending applications.
This entire case don throw light on di relationship between di judiciary and di legislature. As di tension dey high, various stakeholders don begin dey plot how di fallout go unfold, particularly for di political scene. Di Senate express sey dem go uphold integrity and follow due process as dem dey handle akpoti-Uduaghan allegations.
