The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the Senate, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, and other defendants to file their defense in response to Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan's lawsuit challenging her suspension over alleged misconduct.
The order was issued by Justice Obiora Egwuatu during Monday's court proceedings.
According to reports, Akpoti-Uduaghan filed the suit after the Senate's Ethics Committee, chaired by Senator Neda Imasuem, began investigating her over allegations linked to a February 20, 2025 plenary incident.
In her motion, Akpoti-Uduaghan sought an interim injunction to stop the investigation, citing the lack of constitutional safeguards and due process in the Senate's actions.
On March 4, 2025, Justice Egwuatu granted a temporary injunction, preventing the Senate from proceeding with the investigation while the suit was pending.
During Monday's hearing, Akpoti-Uduaghan's legal team argued that the defendants had been properly served with court documents, despite claims to the contrary by the Senate's legal team.
Justice Egwuatu confirmed the service of documents and granted the defense's request for an adjournment to allow them time to file their responses.
The case was adjourned until March 25, 2025, for further hearings.
Akpoti-Uduaghan's suspension, which took effect on March 6, 2025, followed allegations of misconduct and a subsequent vote by the Senate to suspend her for six months.
The suspension includes penalties such as the freezing of her salary and allowances and the withdrawal of her security detail.
The case has sparked significant political debate, with critics arguing that the penalties could suppress dissent within the Senate.
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