The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered all parties engaged in Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s legal conflict with the Senate’s Ethics Committee to submit their documentation, as the confrontation over her investigation escalates.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central, has initiated legal action to block the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions from conducting an investigation into her.
The committee had summoned her in connection with allegations of misconduct following her claims that Senate President Godswill Akpabio had unjustly reassigned her seat without any prior notification.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central, has initiated legal action to block an investigation by the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions. The committee had summoned her regarding allegations of misconduct following her claims that Senate President Godswill Akpabio unfairly reassigned her seat without any prior notice.
During a hearing on Monday, Justice Obiora Egwuatu directed the National Assembly, the Senate, and its Ethics Committee to postpone the investigation that was initially set for March 5.
He also mandated that the Senate provide justifications within 72 hours for why an interlocutory injunction should not be granted to stop the inquiry.
Justice Egwuatu ruled that the court has granted a temporary injunction stopping the Senate from proceeding with its public hearing on the issue.
Despite the court’s directive, the Senate moved forward with suspending Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan for six months on March 6, intensifying the ongoing legal dispute.
The embattled senator, who missed Monday’s hearings, is scheduled to appear in court again on March 25, when the case will continue under Justice Egwuatu. Among the defendants are the Clerk of the National Assembly, the Clerk of the Senate, and the Senate Committee on Ethics.
