The Federal High Court in Abuja has overturned its previous ruling that barred the Senate from suspending Kogi Central Senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan
Delivering his decision on Wednesday, Justice Obiora Egwuatu lifted the interim order that had initially restrained the Senate from taking disciplinary action against her.
Akpoti-Uduaghan had sought the court’s intervention through an ex-parte motion, urging it to halt an investigation into allegations of misconduct leveled against her by the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Code of Conduct, chaired by Senator Neda Imasuem.
In response to her request, the court issued an interim injunction on March 4, preventing the Senate from proceeding with her suspension and declaring that any action taken against her while the case was pending would be null and void.
However, despite the ruling, the Senate went ahead on March 6 to suspend her for six months over alleged misconduct during the February 20 plenary session.
Following her suspension, Akpoti-Uduaghan filed a contempt charge, arguing that the Senate had deliberately defied the court’s directive.
Defending its decision, the Senate, through its counsel, Chikaosolu Ojukwu (SAN), argued that the court order was vague and interfered with legislative duties, thereby breaching the principle of separation of powers.
On the other hand, Akpoti-Uduaghan’s lawyer, Michael Numa (SAN), maintained that the Senate had willfully disregarded the court’s ruling and urged the court to reject its arguments.
After reviewing submissions from both parties, Justice Egwuatu vacated the previous injunction, effectively validating the Senate’s suspension of Akpoti-Uduaghan.
The case has been adjourned to March 25 for further hearings on pending applications.
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