JUST IN: Court Bars Senate from Disciplinary Action Against Senator Natasha Akpoti

The Federal High Court in Abuja has issued an order preventing the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions from proceeding with disciplinary action against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central.

Justice Obiora Egwuatu delivered the ruling on Tuesday following an ex parte application filed by Akpoti-Uduaghan’s legal team. The court order, obtained on Wednesday, directed that the senator’s summons and related legal documents be served to the defendants through the Clerk of the National Assembly or published in two national newspapers.

The court also granted an interim injunction restraining the Senate committee, chaired by the fourth defendant, from investigating the senator over allegations of misconduct. This follows an incident at the Senate plenary on February 20, which led to a motion by Senator Adeyemi Raphael Adaramodu, referring Akpoti-Uduaghan to the committee. The dispute reportedly stemmed from a disagreement over the reallocation of her seat in the Senate chamber and an altercation with Senate President Godswill Akpabio.

Additionally, the court ordered the defendants to justify within 72 hours why a full injunction should not be issued against the proceedings. The ruling emphasizes that the senator must be afforded the privileges outlined in the Nigerian Constitution, the Senate Standing Order 2023, and the Legislative Houses (Powers and Privileges) Act.

Meanwhile, a letter from the Senate committee’s clerk, Christian N. Onwusonye, informed Akpoti-Uduaghan that her public hearing had been rescheduled. While the new date was not disclosed, the committee clarified that the postponement did not alter the substance of the initial invitation. The letter also expressed regret over any inconvenience caused by the change.

With the court’s intervention, the disciplinary proceedings are now on hold, pending further legal arguments. Akpoti-Uduaghan, known for her outspoken stance on governance issues, has not yet commented on the ruling. The Senate committee, however, maintains that the matter remains within its jurisdiction.