Written by SpringNewsNG Media Limited, March 19, 2025.

The Federal High Court in Abuja has overturned its earlier ruling that nullified the Senate’s suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.

Justice Obiora Egwuatu granted the Senate’s application to reverse the court’s March 4 order, which had rendered any actions against Natasha during the suit’s pendency null and void. Initially, the court had granted her five reliefs, including Order Number Four, which effectively prevented the Senate from taking any actions against her.

The ruling followed an ex-parte motion filed by her counsel, Sanusi Musa, SAN, under suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/384/2025. In the suit, Natasha named the Clerk of the National Assembly, the Senate, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, and Senator Neda Imasuem, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Code of Conduct, as respondents.

She sought an interim injunction restraining the Senate from investigating allegations of misconduct against her related to the February 20 plenary session, which ultimately led to her suspension.

However, the Senate, represented by Chikaosolu Ojukwu, SAN, challenged the ex-parte order on March 17, arguing that Order Number Four was vague and exceeded the court’s jurisdiction. Ojukwu contended that the order hindered the Senate’s legislative duties, potentially causing a constitutional crisis.

“The said Order No. 4 as granted effectively restrains the Senate from conducting any of its legislative duties,” Ojukwu argued, emphasizing that its enforcement would violate the doctrine of separation of powers under Section 4 of the 1999 Constitution.

He further asserted that the court had been misled into issuing an interlocutory order without first hearing from all parties involved. Other defence lawyers, including Charles Yoila (representing the Clerk of the National Assembly), Kehinde Ogunwumiju, SAN (for Akpabio), and Umeh Kalu, SAN (for Imasuem), supported Ojukwu’s position.

In response, Natasha’s lawyer, Michael Numa, SAN, dismissed their argument as a conspiracy against his client. He insisted that the court had the authority to hold the Senate accountable for violating its directive, warning that accepting the Senate’s argument would lead to disorder.

“This is an invitation to anarchy, my lord,” he urged the court to reject the Senate’s application.

Despite these objections, Justice Egwuatu ruled in favor of the Senate and vacated Order Number Four. The case was adjourned to March 25 to hear all pending applications.

Following the court’s reversal, Natasha’s six-month suspension remains in effect. She had earlier filed a contempt charge, arguing that the Senate’s decision to proceed with her suspension despite the March 4 order constituted “wilful disobedience” of a subsisting court directive.

The dispute between Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan and Senate President Godswill Akpabio escalated after she accused him of sexual harassment. During a heated Senate session, she confronted Akpabio over the alleged misconduct, leading to a tense exchange. The matter was then referred to the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Code of Conduct, which found her guilty of misconduct and recommended her suspension.

With the court now upholding the Senate’s authority, Natasha remains suspended from Senate proceedings unless further legal action alters the decision.