Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court, Abuja, has set June 27 for judgment in the case brought by suspended Kogi Central Senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who is contesting her suspension by the Senate.
The embattled senator approached the court to contest the Senate’s decision, led by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, citing allegations of misconduct and bias from one of the parties involved.
In her suit, Akpoti-Uduaghan named the National Assembly, the Senate, Senate President Akpabio, and the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Code of Conduct, Senator Neda Imasuem, as defendants.
The case was reassigned to Justice Nyako after Justice Obiorah Egwuatu recused himself. At the resumed hearing on Monday, her counsel, Jibrin Okutekpa (SAN), informed the court that all necessary filings had been made in accordance with earlier directives.
Representatives for the Senate and the Senate President, Paul Daudu (SAN) and Ekwo Ejembi respectively, confirmed filing their responses but raised a motion alleging disobedience to a court order by the plaintiff.
They accused Akpoti-Uduaghan of contempt by posting a satirical apology letter to the Senate President on her Facebook page and publishing it in national newspapers on March 27, despite a subsisting order restricting public commentary.
Responding, the senator’s counsel, Michael Numan (SAN), acknowledged the contempt motion but argued the statement had no verifiable connection to his client and lacked any direct link to her.
What you should know
Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s legal challenge comes amid rising tensions over legislative discipline and constitutional rights. Her case could determine whether courts can override internal parliamentary actions and may redefine the limits of free expression for lawmakers under judicial restraint.
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