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.
