The Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed June 27, 2025, to deliver judgment in the lawsuit filed by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan challenging her suspension from the Nigerian Senate.
Justice Binta Fatima Nyako announced the judgment date after hearing arguments from all parties involved in the high-profile case that has attracted significant public attention.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central, was suspended following a recommendation by the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petition over alleged gross misconduct. She subsequently filed a lawsuit against the Clerk of the National Assembly, the Senate, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, and Senator Nedamwen Imasuen, who chairs the Ethics Committee.
During the court session, Justice Nyako also indicated that rulings on contempt applications brought against both Akpoti-Uduaghan and Akpabio would be delivered on the same date. The Senate's counsel, Paul Daudu, SAN, had accused Akpoti-Uduaghan of breaching a court order by posting what was described as a "satirical apology" on her Facebook page. Similarly, Akpoti-Uduaghan's legal team alleged that Akpabio violated the same order through media comments made by senior lawyers Olisah Agbakogba and Monday Ubani in his favor.
The court had previously issued an order on April 4 prohibiting all parties from granting media interviews or making social media posts related to the case while it remained before the court.
Michael Numan, counsel for Akpoti-Uduaghan, urged the court to grant his client's request to reverse the Senate Committee's decision and countered the contempt allegations. Meanwhile, legal representatives for the Clerk of the National Assembly, the Senate, the Senate President, and the Ethics Committee Chairman challenged the court's jurisdiction and asked for the case to be dismissed.
The dispute between Akpabio and Akpoti-Uduaghan reportedly originated from a disagreement over seating arrangements during a Senate plenary session on February 20, 2025. The situation escalated when Akpoti-Uduaghan later made allegations of sexual harassment against Akpabio during an appearance on ARISE News.
Following these events, Akpoti-Uduaghan approached the Federal High Court seeking to stop the Senate Ethics Committee from investigating her. This action ultimately led to her six-month suspension based on the committee's recommendation.
It is worth noting that Justice Obiorah Egwuatu, who was initially assigned to the case, withdrew following allegations from Akpabio's representatives.
The June 27 judgment is expected to resolve this contentious matter that has drawn significant attention in Nigeria's political landscape.
