Court bows to Senate, approves Natasha Akpoti’s suspension

The Federal High Court in Abuja has reversed its previous decision blocking the suspension of Kogi Central Senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, by the Senate.

Justice Obiora Egwuatu, in a ruling on Wednesday, lifted the earlier injunction that had restrained the Senate from taking disciplinary action against the lawmaker.

Akpoti-Uduaghan had initially sought the court’s intervention through an ex-parte motion, urging it to halt an investigation into allegations of misconduct against her by the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Code of Conduct, chaired by Senator Neda Imasuem.

Following her request, Justice Egwuatu had, on March 4, issued an interim order preventing the Senate from suspending her.

The court also declared that any action taken against her while the case was pending would be deemed null and void.

However, on March 6, the Senate disregarded the ruling and suspended the senator for six months over alleged misconduct during the February 20 plenary session.

In response, Akpoti-Uduaghan filed a contempt charge, arguing that her suspension was a direct violation of the court’s directive.

Defending its decision, the Senate, through its counsel, Chikaosolu Ojukwu (SAN), challenged the order, arguing that it was vague and interfered with legislative duties, thereby violating the principle of separation of powers.

On the other hand, Akpoti-Uduaghan’s lawyer, Michael Numa (SAN), insisted that the Senate had willfully disobeyed the court’s ruling and urged the court to reject its arguments.

After hearing both sides, Justice Egwuatu vacated the earlier injunction, effectively upholding the Senate’s decision to suspend the senator.

The case has been adjourned to March 25 for further hearings on pending applications.

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