Court Reverses Order Nullifying Senate Actions During Natasha’s Suit Against Akpabio.

The Federal High Court in Abuja reversed its earlier order that had nullified any actions taken by the Senate during the pendency of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s lawsuit challenging her suspension. 

Initially, on March 4, 2025, Justice Obiora Egwuatu had granted an ex-parte motion filed by Akpoti-Uduaghan, which included an order declaring any action taken by the Senate during the pendency of her suit as null and void. This order was issued following her suspension over allegations of misconduct related to events during the February 20 plenary session. 

The Senate, represented by its legal counsel Chikaosolu Ojukwu, SAN, challenged this order, arguing that it was vague and impeded the Senate’s legislative functions, potentially leading to a constitutional crisis. Ojukwu contended that enforcing such an order would violate the doctrine of separation of powers as enshrined in Section 4 of the 1999 Constitution. 

In response, Justice Egwuatu ruled in favor of the Senate’s application, vacating the previous order that had nullified any Senate actions during the lawsuit’s pendency. The case has been adjourned to March 25, 2025, for the hearing of all pending applications. 

This development follows a series of legal confrontations between Akpoti-Uduaghan and the Senate leadership, including her filing of a contempt charge against the Senate, arguing that her suspension constituted “willful disobedience” of the court’s order. 

The dispute traces back to a heated exchange during a Senate session, where Akpoti-Uduaghan accused Senate President Godswill Akpabio of sexual harassment, leading to her referral to the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Code of Conduct, and subsequently, her suspension. 

The court’s recent decision allows the Senate to proceed with its legislative duties without the constraints of the previous order, while the substantive issues of the case remain pending before the court.