An Abuja Federal High Court has issued an interim order restraining the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions from proceeding with its investigation into Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan. The ruling, delivered on Tuesday by Justice Obiora Egwuatu, follows an ex parte application filed by the senator’s legal team.
The committee had been set to convene and potentially impose an indefinite suspension on Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central. However, the court’s order effectively pauses all proceedings on the matter pending further judicial review.
The controversy began on February 20, 2025, when Akpoti-Uduaghan discovered that her designated Senate seat had been reassigned without prior notice. Viewing the move as an attempt to sideline her, she refused to occupy the new seat, leading to a tense standoff with Senate President Godswill Akpabio. Chief Whip Tahir Monguno defended the reassignment, citing Senate rules and recent shifts in party affiliations.
The dispute escalated into a heated exchange, culminating in a Senate vote to refer Akpoti-Uduaghan to the Ethics Committee for disciplinary review. The committee, chaired by Senator Neda Imaseun, was instructed to submit its findings within two weeks.
Amid the ongoing row, Akpoti-Uduaghan has launched a N100 billion defamation lawsuit against Senate President Akpabio and his aide, Mfon Patrick. The suit alleges that a Facebook post authored by Patrick, reportedly at Akpabio’s direction, contained defamatory statements about her legislative competence and personal appearance.
The senator is seeking damages and a public apology, asserting that the publication damaged her reputation and subjected her to public ridicule.
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