The Senate’s move to investigate Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan follows a heated exchange between her and Senate President Godswill Akpabio during a plenary session on February 20. The dispute reportedly centered on the reassignment of her seat within the Senate chamber.
Abuja, Nigeria – A Federal High Court in Abuja has issued an interim order preventing the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions from proceeding with disciplinary measures against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central.
Justice Obiora Egwuatu granted the order on Tuesday following an ex parte application submitted by Akpoti-Uduaghan’s legal team. The ruling temporarily restrains the Senate from continuing its investigation into allegations of misconduct against the senator.
Court’s Ruling and Directives
According to court documents obtained on Wednesday, Justice Egwuatu ruled that the respondents, including the Senate’s ethics committee, must halt their proceedings pending further judicial review.
The court order states:
“Permission is granted for the plaintiff to serve the second to fourth defendants with the originating summons and related legal documents through the Clerk of the National Assembly or by affixing them to the National Assembly premises and publishing them in two national newspapers.
“An interim injunction is issued, preventing the Senate’s ethics committee, chaired by the fourth defendant, from continuing its inquiry into the alleged misconduct of the plaintiff based on events from the February 20 plenary session. This injunction remains in effect until a motion for interlocutory relief is heard and determined.
The defendants must justify within 72 hours why a more extended injunction should not be issued, barring them from proceeding with the investigation without ensuring the senator’s constitutional rights and privileges.”
Background of the Disciplinary Proceedings
The Senate’s move to investigate Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan follows a heated exchange between her and Senate President Godswill Akpabio during a plenary session on February 20. The dispute reportedly centered on the reassignment of her seat within the Senate chamber.
Senator Adeyemi Raphael Adaramodu had subsequently raised a motion calling for a review of the alleged breach of conduct, leading to the ethics committee’s intervention.
Despite the court’s intervention, the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions has maintained that the matter falls within its purview.
In a letter dated Wednesday, the committee’s clerk, Christian N. Onwusonye, informed Akpoti-Uduaghan of a rescheduled public hearing at the National Assembly’s Meeting Room 120. While the date had been changed, the letter emphasized that all other details of the previous summons remained valid.
The committee expressed regret over any inconvenience caused by the rescheduling but reaffirmed its commitment to handling the matter appropriately.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, known for her strong advocacy on governance and accountability, has not yet issued a public statement regarding the court’s decision.
With the judiciary now involved, the next steps will depend on the Senate’s response to the court’s directive and the outcome of the forthcoming legal proceedings.
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