The Federal High Court in Abuja has overturned its previous ruling that halted the suspension of Kogi Central Senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, by the Senate.
The PUNCH reported that Justice Obiora Egwuatu delivered the decision on Wednesday after hearing arguments from both sides involved in the case.
Akpoti-Uduaghan had initially sought legal protection through an ex-parte motion, requesting the court to restrain the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Code of Conduct, led by Senator Neda Imasuem, from investigating allegations of misconduct against her.
In her lawsuit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/384/2025, she named the Clerk of the National Assembly, the Senate, its President, and the committee chairman as defendants.
On March 4, Justice Egwuatu granted an interim injunction barring any disciplinary measures against her and ruled that any decisions taken against her while the case was ongoing would be considered null and void.
However, despite the court order, the Senate proceeded to suspend Akpoti-Uduaghan for six months on March 6, citing misconduct during the February 20 plenary session.
In response, she initiated contempt proceedings, arguing that the Senate’s action was a direct violation of the court’s ruling.
The Senate, through its counsel Chikaosolu Ojukwu (SAN), contested the order, labeling it as ambiguous and an infringement on legislative authority. Ojukwu maintained that enforcing such a directive would obstruct the Senate’s constitutional responsibilities and undermine the separation of powers doctrine.
Meanwhile, Akpoti-Uduaghan’s lawyer, Michael Numa (SAN), urged the court to reject the Senate’s challenge, asserting that the defendants had willfully disregarded a legitimate judicial directive.
In his ruling, Justice Egwuatu annulled the previous injunction, thereby allowing the Senate’s suspension of Akpoti-Uduaghan to remain in effect.
The court has scheduled the next hearing for March 25 to address all outstanding applications.
