Kogi Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s lawsuit to stop the Senate investigation into her conduct has been put on hold until March 25, 2025.
Before the adjournment, Justice Obiora Egwuatu of the Federal High Court in Abuja granted a restraining order on March 5 to prevent the Senate Committee on Ethics and Privileges from taking disciplinary action against Akpoti-Uduaghan.
This development comes after a dramatic confrontation in the Senate chamber, where Akpoti-Uduaghan clashed with the leadership over a new seating arrangement.
The dispute started when a recent reshuffle led to the reassignment of her seat, which she refused to accept, citing Senate rules.
The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, had denied her the floor when she tried to speak from her former seat, prompting her to express her dissatisfaction.
However, senators from Kogi State later apologized for the incident, acknowledging that the Senate acted within its authority.
The order reads in part: “And the Court having delivered its Bench Ruling in open Court, its reasonings and conclusions are as contained in the body of the Bench Ruling. It is hereby ordered as follows:
” 1. An order of this Honourbale Court is made granting leave to the Plaintiff/Applicant to serve the 2nd – 4th Defendants/Respondents with the Originating Summons and all other accompanying processes in this Suit by substituted means, to wit: by serving same through the 1st Defendant (Clerk of the National Assembly) or pasting same on the premises of the National Assembly and publishing same in two national dailies.
“2. An Order of Interim Injuction of this Honourable Court is made restraining the 2nd Defendant/Defendant’s Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Code of Conduct, headed by the 4th Defendant, from proceeding with the purported investigation against the Plaintiff/Applicant for alleged misconduct, sequel to the events that occurred at the plenary of the 2nd Defendant on the 20th day of February 2025, pursuant to the referral by the 2nd Defendant on the 25th of February 2025, pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice for interlocutory injunction.
“3. An order of this Honourable Court is made directing the 1st – 4th Defendants to show cause within 72 hours upon the service of this order on them, why an order of interlocutory injunction should not be granted against them, restraining them from proceeding with the purported investigation against the Plaintiff for alleged misconduct without affording her privileges as stipulated in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (As Amended), the Senate Standing Order 2023, and the Legislative Houses (Powers and Privileges) Act.”
The Senate disregarded the order and proceeded to suspend the Senator for six months on Thursday, March 6, following their review of the Committee’s report.
During the day’s proceedings, the counsel for the first, second, and third defendants informed the court that they had not received service.
Akpoti-Uduaghan’s counsel, Mr. Michael Numa (SAN), notified the court that all parties had been duly served, and that the corresponding affidavits of service were on file with the court.
After reviewing the affidavits of service, Justice Egwuatu confirmed that all defendants had been properly served with the relevant court processes.
At this juncture, Mr. Kehinde Ogunwumiju (SAN), counsel to the Senate President, requested an adjournment to allow for the harmonization of all processes.
Other counsel backed the request, saying it would facilitate a faster hearing at the next scheduled date.
Justice Egwuatu adjourned the case until March 25th, 2025, and directed that all relevant processes be served on the parties prior to the adjourned date.
Speaking after adjournment, the Deputy Chief Whip of the Senate, Peter Nwaebonyi, who was present in court, said legal service was very important.
He said it is only when parties are properly served that they will be able to study the case and respond accordingly.
Sen. Nwaebonyi said it was unusual for the court to intervene in Senate affairs, stressing that the upper chamber only acknowledged the court’s authority because it is a responsible and law-abiding institution.
This is not the only case involving Akpabio and Natasha in court.
Persecondnews had reported that the embattled senator filed a N100.3 billion defamation lawsuit against Akpabio at a Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday, February 25, claiming that Akpabio tarnished her image with a defamatory Facebook post.
The post in question, titled “Is Local Content Committee of the Senate NATASHA’s BIRTHRIGHT?”, was published by Akpabio’s aide.
She claimed that the social media post misquoted her, suggesting she believed being a lawmaker meant wearing heavy makeup and transparent clothing to the Senate Chambers.
The suit marked CV/737/25 lists Akpabio and Mr. Mfon Patrick, Senior Legislative Aide to the Senate President as defendants.
The lawmaker asked the court to order the defendants to pay her N100 billion in general damages, in addition to N300 million to cover the costs of litigation.
Also, the wife of the Senate President, Ekaette Akpabio, also filed multiple defamation lawsuits against Akpoti-Uduaghan on Friday, February 28.
The lawsuits claim that Akpoti-Uduaghan’s allegations of sexual harassment against Akpabio are defamatory and have caused damage to the Akpabio family’s reputation.
Ekaette’s suits, which include a fundamental rights suit at the Federal Capital Territory High Court, aim to address what she describes as “scandalous and salacious” comments made by Akpoti-Uduaghan.
She claimed that Akpoti-Uduaghan’s accusations have inflicted “emotional and psychological abuse” on her and her children, asking the court to issue a restraining order, preventing Akpoti-Uduaghan from making further “spiteful” statements that infringe on her fundamental human rights.
The suit also demands the sum of N250 billion in exemplary, punitive, aggravated, and general damages, in addition to any other orders the court deems necessary.
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