Court Halts Senate Investigation Into Akpoti-Uduaghan, Orders 72-Hour Ultimatum For Justification

In a dramatic legal showdown, the Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions to immediately suspend its disciplinary action against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan. 

The court further issued a 72-hour ultimatum to the National Assembly to justify why it should not be restrained from probing her over alleged misconduct.

Delivering the ruling on an ex-parte application filed by Akpoti-Uduaghan’s legal team, led by senior lawyer Sanusi Musa (SAN), Justice Inyang Ekwo declared that the Clerk of the National Assembly, the Senate, and the committee must show cause within three days why an injunction should not be issued against them. 

The senator’s legal team argued that the probe violates her rights under the 1999 Constitution (as amended), the Senate Standing Order 2023, and the Legislative Houses (Powers and Privileges) Act.

To ensure the court’s orders are upheld, Justice Ekwo granted Akpoti-Uduaghan permission to serve the defendants through substituted means, including pasting the court documents at the National Assembly premises or publishing them in two national newspapers.

Despite the court’s directives, the Senate went ahead to suspend the senator for six months on March 6 after considering the committee’s report. This defiant move has intensified the legal battle, with the case returning to court for further hearings.

During the resumed hearing, counsel for the National Assembly and Senate claimed they had not been properly served with the court papers. However, Akpoti-Uduaghan’s lawyer, Michael Numa (SAN), refuted this claim, insisting that affidavits of service had been submitted to the court. 

After reviewing the evidence, Justice Ekwo confirmed that all parties had been duly served.

The legal team representing Senate President Kehinde Ogunwumiju (SAN) requested an adjournment to allow for the consolidation of all legal documents. 

Other defense lawyers supported the motion, arguing that it would facilitate an expedited hearing.

In his ruling, Justice Ekwo adjourned the case to March 25, 2025, and ordered that all outstanding documents be served on the relevant parties before the next hearing.

With tensions running high and the court’s ultimatum in place, all eyes are now on the judiciary to determine the fate of Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension and the legality of the Senate’s actions.