A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Wednesday temporarily restrained Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions from proceeding with processes of disciplinary actions against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
Justice Obiora Egwuatu granted the interim injunction order restraining the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions following an ex parte application brought by Natasha lawyers.
“An order of this Honourable Court granting an Interim Injunction restraining the 2nd Defendant/Defendant’s Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Code of Conduct headed by the 4th Defendant from proceeding with the purported investigation against the Plaintiff/Applicant for alleged misconduct sequel to the events that occurred at the plenary of the 2nd Defendant on the 20th day of February, 2025, pursuant to the referral by the 2nd Defendant on 25th February, 2025 pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice for interlocutory injunction,” a part of the application requesting the interim restraining order reads .
Senator Natasha representing Kogi Central had been summoned to appear before the disciplinary committee of the Senate after a heated exchange of words with Senate President Godswill Akpabio during the February 20 plenary.
She had protested her assigned seating arrangement, repeatedly raising a point of order despite being overruled. In response, the Senate referred her case to the ethics committee for review.
On February 28, in an interview with Arise TV, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan alleged that her troubles in the Senate began after she rejected unwanted advances from Akpabio.
In her application, she urged the court to declare any action taken during the pendency of her suit as, “null, void, and of no effect.”
She also sought permission for substituted service of court documents on the defendants, who include the Clerk of the National Assembly, the Senate, the Senate President, and the chairman of the ethics committee.
Granting the interim injunction, Justice Egwuatu ordered the defendants to appear within 72 hours of being served to show cause why a full interlocutory injunction should not be issued against them.
Justice Egwuatu has adjourned the matter till March 10, 2025 for hearing.