The Federal High Court in Abuja has overturned its earlier ruling that nullified any Senate actions while Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan's lawsuit against Senate President Godswill Akpabio was ongoing.
Justice Obiora Egwuatu issued the new ruling on Wednesday, March 19, 2025, effectively lifting the restriction placed on Senate activities related to the case.
Akpoti-Uduaghan had previously filed a lawsuit (FHC/ABJ/CS/384/2025) against the Clerk of the National Assembly, the Senate, Senate President Akpabio, and Senator Neda Imasuem, chairman of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Code of Conduct. She sought a court order to stop the committee from investigating her over alleged misconduct, which stemmed from a heated exchange during plenary on February 20.
On March 4, Justice Egwuatu granted her request and barred the Senate from taking any action against her until the case was fully heard. He also directed the defendants to appear in court within 72 hours and explain why they should not be permanently stopped from proceeding with their investigation.
However, despite the court order, the Senate suspended Akpoti-Uduaghan for six months on March 6, 2025, accusing her of violating Senate rules.
During the latest hearing, Justice Egwuatu ruled that removing the restriction on Senate actions "will not in any way prejudice" Akpoti-Uduaghan's case.
The court has now scheduled March 25, 2025, for the hearing of all pending applications.
The dispute between Akpoti-Uduaghan and Akpabio started following her change of seat in the Senate chamber. She resisted the move, leading to a confrontation with Akpabio.
On February 28, Akpoti-Uduaghan claimed that Akpabio made inappropriate advances toward her during a visit to his home in December 2023. She later filed a defamation lawsuit against him.
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