The Federal High Court in Abuja has reserved judgment until June 27, 2025, in the suit filed by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan challenging her suspension by the Senate.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan is contesting the Senate’s decision to suspend her for six months over allegations of misconduct and breach of Senate rules. She was suspended in February following accusations that she disrupted proceedings, based on findings by the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions.
But, the senator insists that her suspension violates an earlier court order issued by Justice Obiora Egwuatu, which barred any action against her until the conclusion of legal proceedings.
The matter was heard on Tuesday by Justice Binta Nyako, who on Monday also addressed two contempt charges—one filed by Senate President Godswill Akpabio against Akpoti-Uduaghan, and another by Akpoti-Uduaghan against Akpabio and the Senate.
Akpabio’s contempt charge stems from a post Akpoti-Uduaghan allegedly made on Facebook, which he claims violated a standing court order.
The April 4 court order had directed all parties to refrain from making media statements or social media posts related to the case. Akpabio’s lawyer, Kehinde Ogunwumiju, argued that the senator breached the order by granting interviews and publishing a “satirical letter” on her social media page.