Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed June 27 to deliver judgment in the case brought by suspended Kogi Central senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who is challenging her suspension from the Senate.
The senator was suspended over allegations of misconduct, a decision she believes was unjust and motivated by bias. Her legal action lists the National Assembly, the Senate, the Senate President Godswill Akpabio, and Senator Neda Imasuen, chairman of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Code of Conduct, as defendants.
Initially, the matter was handled by Justice Obiorah Egwuatu, who later stepped down, prompting the reassignment of the case to Justice Nyako.
During proceedings on Monday, Akpoti-Uduaghan’s counsel, Jibrin Okutekpa, informed the court that they had submitted all necessary documents as earlier directed. Lawyers representing the Senate and the Senate President, Paul Daudu and Ekwo Ejembi, confirmed that they had also filed their documents. However, they accused Akpoti-Uduaghan of violating a court order by posting a satirical apology to the Senate President on her Facebook page on March 27 and publishing it in some newspapers.
In response, Akpoti-Uduaghan’s legal team, led by Michael Numan, acknowledged receiving the contempt motion filed against her. He reminded the court that they had earlier filed a similar motion accusing the defendants of also disobeying court directives.
Numan further argued that the controversial statement attributed to his client bore no connection to her. He insisted that the alleged contemptuous publication had no relevance to Akpoti-Uduaghan.
The court will now give its verdict on the matter on June 27.
