ABUJA – Senate President Godswill Akpabio has contested the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court in Abuja over a lawsuit filed by suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central Senatorial District.
Akpabio, through his legal team led by Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Kehinde Ogunwumiju, argued that the court lacks the authority to interfere in the internal affairs of the Senate.
During Monday’s proceedings, Ogunwumiju noted that Akpoti-Uduaghan had yet to properly serve court documents on the defendants, preventing the Senate President from filing an application to challenge the court’s competence.
Apart from Akpabio, other defendants in the suit include the Clerk of the National Assembly, the Senate, and the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions.
However, counsel to the plaintiff, Michael Numa, SAN, insisted that all parties had been duly served, citing affidavits of service on record. After reviewing the documents, presiding Judge, Justice Obiora Egwatu, confirmed that all defendants had indeed been served.
Following a request from Akpabio’s legal team for a short adjournment to allow for the harmonization of court processes, Justice Egwatu adjourned the matter to March 25, directing all parties to file and exchange necessary documents before the next hearing.
Court Order Defied Amid Legal Battle
The case stems from an interim order issued by the court on March 4, which restrained the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions from proceeding with disciplinary action against Akpoti-Uduaghan.
Despite this directive, the Committee went ahead with its proceedings and imposed a six-month suspension on the senator.
Akpoti-Uduaghan is now urging the court to declare any actions taken by the Committee while the suit was pending as “null, void, and of no effect.”
The legal battle continues as stakeholders await the court’s ruling on the Senate’s authority and the senator’s suspension.
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