Court Sets Date to Deliver Judgment on Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s Suit Against Senate

The Federal High Court in Abuja has set June 27, 2025, for the delivery of judgment in a suit filed by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan against the National Assembly. The Kogi Central Senator is challenging her suspension by the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions, which was based on allegations of gross misconduct.

Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suit targets the Clerk of the National Assembly, the Senate, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, and Senator Nedamwen Imasuen, who chairs the Senate Committee on Ethics. The matter was heard by Justice Binta Fatima Nyako, who heard arguments from both sides before scheduling the judgment date.

During the proceedings, Justice Nyako informed the parties that she would also rule on contempt applications against Akpoti-Uduaghan and Akpabio on the same day. The Senate’s counsel, Paul Daudu, SAN, accused Akpoti-Uduaghan of breaching a court order by posting a satirical apology on her Facebook page, while Akpoti-Uduaghan’s legal team countered that similar comments made by Akpabio’s supporters in the media were also in violation of the court’s order.

The court order issued on April 4, 2025, prohibited Akpoti-Uduaghan, Akpabio, the Clerk of the National Assembly, the Senate, and Imasuen from granting media interviews or posting on social media about the case while it was pending in court.

In his closing arguments, Akpoti-Uduaghan’s counsel, Michael Numan, urged the court to reverse the Senate Committee’s suspension decision, while also defending his client against the contempt allegations. On the other hand, the defendants, including the Clerk of the National Assembly, the Senate, the Senate President, and the Senate Committee Chairman, argued that the court did not have jurisdiction over the case and called for its dismissal.

The dispute between Akpabio and Akpoti-Uduaghan began following a disagreement over seating arrangements during a Senate plenary session on February 20, 2025. Akpoti-Uduaghan later accused Akpabio of sexual harassment in an appearance on ARISE News. This prompted her to seek an order from the Federal High Court to prevent the Senate Committee from investigating her, which led to the six-month suspension following the committee’s recommendation.

Justice Obiorah Egwuatu, who was initially assigned to the case, recused himself after allegations from Akpabio’s camp.