The Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has sued Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, and others over her six-month suspension from the senate without pay.
Natasha, who represents Kogi Central Senatorial District, filed a contempt suit against the defendants before the Federal High Court in Abuja.
The Clerk of the National Assembly and the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Code of Conduct, Senator Neda Imasuen are others listed in the Form 48 contempt charge.
Recall that Justice Obiora Egwuatu of the Federal High Court in Abuja, on 4 March, while a ruling on an ex parte motion filed by Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan through her legal team led by Michael Numa (SAN), restrained the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Code of Conduct from proceeding with any investigation against the plaintiff/applicant.
This investigation regarding alleged misconduct following events that occurred during the Senate plenary session on February 20, 2025 and a subsequent referral on February 25, 2025.
The court’s order was to remain in effect pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice for an interlocutory injunction.
The court also issued an order directing the defendants to show cause why an interlocutory injunction should not be granted to restrain them from proceeding with the purported investigation against Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan for alleged misconduct.
The court declared that “any action taken during the pendency of the suit is null, void, and of no effect whatsoever.”
However, just two days after the court’s ruling, the Senate proceeded to suspend Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan for six months.
In response to the court order, the Senate President contested the power of the court to interfere in the internal affairs of the legislature, arguing that the court lacked jurisdiction to intervene in Senate matters.
In her contempt charge, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan argued that her suspension constituted wilful disobedience to the subsisting court order issued on March 4, stating that an enrolled order of the interim injunction issued by Justice Egwuatu was duly served on the defendants on March 5.
According to Form 48, the defendants/contemnors “deliberately and contumaciously disregarded” the binding directive of the court and “proceeded with acts in flagrant defiance of the authority of the court.”
The court, in a notice of disobedience of a court order signed by its Registrar pursuant to Section 72 of the Sheriff and Civil Process Act 2004, informed the defendants/contemnors of their wilful disobedience to the court order issued by Justice Obiora Egwuatu.
It warned that defying the subsisting order rendered Akpabio, Senator Imasuen, and the Clerk of the National Assembly liable for contempt of court, which could result in their committal to prison.
However, on Thursday, the Senate passed a vote of confidence in the leadership of Akpabio
