A Federal High Court in Abuja has postponed the next hearing in a fundamental rights lawsuit brought by suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (PDP, Kogi Central) to March 25, giving the respondents time to submit their responses.
The respondents named in the suit include the Clerk of the National Assembly, the Senate, the Senate President, and Senator Neda Imasuem, the former Chairman of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Code of Conduct.
On March 4, Justice Obiora Egwuatu granted interim injunctions following an ex parte motion by Akpoti-Uduaghan, including an order for the respondents to justify within 72 hours why her request for interlocutory injunctions should not be approved. Her motion seeks to prevent the respondents from investigating her alleged misconduct without adhering to her rights under the 1999 Constitution (as amended), the Senate Standing Order 2023, and the Legislative Houses (Powers and Privileges) Act.
In her main suit, Akpoti-Uduaghan alleges that the respondents violated her right to a fair hearing.
During yesterday’s session, lawyers for the Clerk, the Senate, and Senate President Godswill Akpabio claimed their clients had not yet received the court documents. However, the applicant’s counsel, Michael Numa (SAN), insisted that all respondents had been served, with proof already submitted to the court.
Justice Egwuatu reviewed the file and confirmed the service. Akpabio’s lawyer, Kehinde Ogunwumiju (SAN), then requested an adjournment to allow the parties to finalize their filings, a position supported by the other respondents’ lawyers to avoid future delays. The judge ordered all documents to be filed and served before the next hearing on March 25.
In a related development, Representative Mansur Manu Soro (Darazo/Ganjuwa Federal Constituency) is advocating for a constitutional amendment to limit what he describes as the excessive authority of the Senate President and House Speaker to suspend lawmakers. Speaking to journalists in Bauchi yesterday, Soro noted that while the 1999 Constitution details impeachment procedures for the President and governors, it does not address the suspension of elected legislators.
Meanwhile, Atedo Peterside, founder of Anap Foundation and Stanbic IBTC Bank Plc, criticized Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension as an affront to her constituents. In an X post on Sunday, he called the action against the female senator “disturbing.”
Additionally, the Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District Professionals group condemned former Senate President Bukola Saraki for urging Akpabio not to politicize Akpoti-Uduaghan’s sexual harassment case. In a statement signed by National President Edidiong John and National Secretary Kemfon Neke, the group argued that Saraki, given his tenure as Senate President, should know that Senate Standing Orders prohibit discussing matters under judicial review.
