COURT SETS DATE FOR VERDICT ON SENATOR NATASHA AKPOTI-UDUAGHAN’S SUSPENSION CASE
Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed June 27 to deliver judgment in the case brought by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan against the Nigerian Senate over her controversial six-month suspension. Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central, filed the lawsuit challenging the legality of her suspension, claiming it was in defiance of a subsisting court order. The defendants include the Clerk of the National Assembly, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, the Senate, and the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Senator Nedamwen Imasuen.
The court heard arguments on jurisdiction, with the Senate arguing that its internal affairs are not subject to judicial intervention. Akpabio’s counsel also accused the plaintiff of violating a court order by making public statements, referencing a “satirical apology” she posted on Facebook. Justice Nyako emphasized that the case presents complex legal questions and that she would first address the contempt issues raised before ruling on the main case. The case was initially handled by Justice Obiora Egwuatu, who withdrew after accusations of bias from Akpabio.
