Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed June 27 to deliver a final verdict in the suit filed by suspended Kogi Central senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, over her removal from the Senate
Akpoti-Uduaghan had approached the court to challenge her suspension, which was announced by the Senate under the leadership of Senate President Godswill Akpabio. She argued that the decision was unjust and rooted in bias.
In the suit, she listed the National Assembly, the Senate, Senate President Akpabio, and Senator Neda Imasuen, chairman of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Code of Conduct, as defendants.
The case was initially assigned to Justice Obiorah Egwuatu but was later reassigned to Justice Nyako after Egwuatu recused himself.
During Monday’s hearing, Akpoti-Uduaghan’s lead counsel, Jibrin Okutekpa, confirmed that all required documents had been filed as earlier directed by the court. Lawyers representing the Senate and the Senate President, Paul Daudu and Ekwo Ejembi, acknowledged their submissions as well.
However, they also raised concerns about a satirical apology Akpoti-Uduaghan posted on Facebook on March 27, which was also published in newspapers. They claimed the action violated a court order, accusing her of contempt.
In response, her co-counsel, Michael Numan, noted they had received the contempt motion and reminded the court that they had also previously filed a motion accusing the defendants of defying the court’s directives.
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