The Federal High Court in Abuja has issued an interim order stopping the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions from proceeding with disciplinary actions against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central.
The ruling, delivered on Tuesday by Justice Obiora Egwuatu, followed an ex parte application filed by the senator’s legal team. The court’s decision temporarily restrains the committee from investigating alleged misconduct linked to a heated exchange between Akpoti-Uduaghan and Senate President Godswill Akpabio during a February 20 plenary session.
Court Order and Legal Basis
According to the court documents obtained by SaharaReporters, Justice Egwuatu granted several orders, including:
- Permission for Substituted Service – The court allowed the senator’s legal team to serve relevant court documents to the defendants via the Clerk of the National Assembly or by publication in two national newspapers.
- Interim Injunction – The Senate committee, chaired by the 4th defendant, is barred from proceeding with the probe until the court hears a motion for an interlocutory injunction.
- Order to Show Cause – The National Assembly, its Clerk, and the committee have been directed to justify why a permanent injunction should not be granted against the investigation.
The court emphasized that any disciplinary action taken without adhering to constitutional provisions, Senate rules, and legislative privileges would be deemed unlawful.
Background of the Disciplinary Action
The controversy stems from a dispute over the reallocation of Akpoti-Uduaghan’s Senate seat, which escalated into a confrontation with Senate President Akpabio. Following the altercation, Senator Adeyemi Raphael Adaramodu moved a motion citing a breach of conduct, leading to Akpoti-Uduaghan’s summons before the Ethics Committee.
In a letter dated Wednesday, the Clerk of the Committee, Christian N. Onwusonye, had informed the senator of a rescheduled public hearing regarding the matter. While expressing regret over the date change, the committee insisted that the hearing would proceed as planned.
However, with the court’s intervention, the proceedings are now on hold pending further legal deliberations. Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, known for her advocacy for transparency and good governance, has yet to publicly respond to the ruling.
The Senate Committee has also remained firm on its position, insisting that the investigation falls within its legislative mandate. The coming days will determine whether the court’s injunction will stand or if the Senate will push forward with its inquiry.
