Wednesday, May 14, 2025 - The Federal High Court in Abuja has reserved judgment until June 27, 2025, in the suit filed by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan challenging her suspension by the Senate.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central in the
Senate, is contesting the Senate’s decision to suspend her for six months over
allegations of misconduct and breach of Senate rules. She was suspended on
March 8 following accusations that she disrupted the House proceedings and went
on live TV to accuse the Senate President of sexual harassment.
However, the senator insists that her suspension violates an
earlier court order issued by Justice Obiora Egwuatu, which barred any action
against her until the conclusion of legal proceedings.
The matter was heard on Tuesday, May 13, by Justice Binta
Nyako, who on Monday also addressed two contempt charges—one filed by Senate
President Godswill Akpabio against Akpoti-Uduaghan, and another by
Akpoti-Uduaghan against Akpabio and the Senate.
At the resumed hearing on Tuesday, Natasha’s lawyer, Michael
Numa (SAN), adopted his written submissions and urged the court to overrule all
preliminary objections to the suit. He asked the court to grant the reliefs
sought by the plaintiff without restrictions and to throw out any contempt
application against her.
Numa argued that the court’s order restraining parties from
granting media interviews did not apply to Akpoti-Uduaghan’s public statements
on sexu@l harassment claims. He also accused the Senate and its leadership of
acting in contempt of court by proceeding with her suspension despite the
order.
Representing the Clerk of the National Assembly, Charles
Yoila drew the court’s attention to his pending motion challenging its
jurisdiction. He urged the court to dismiss the case outright.
Lawyers for the Senate, Chikasolu Ojukwu (SAN) and J. Daudu
(SAN) supported the preliminary objections and insisted that Akpoti-Uduaghan
had violated the court order on media engagement.
Counsel to Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Kehinde
Ogunwumiju (SAN), also urged the court to uphold his preliminary objection,
arguing that the matter had become academic. Alternatively, he asked the court
to dismiss the suit and accept his application to strike out Akpoti-Uduaghan’s
“satirical apology” posted online.
The legal team for the Senate Committee chair also aligned
with the defendants and called for the dismissal of the suit.
Justice Binta Nyako, after listening to all arguments,
stated that she would first address the contempt issues raised by both parties
before delivering judgment.
She said if the preliminary objection of the defendants
succeeds, the case will be terminated at that point.
The judge then adjourned the matter to June 27, 2025, for
judgment.
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