Court lifts injunction on Senate’s disciplinary process against Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan

The Federal High Court in Abuja has vacated its earlier order restraining the Senate from suspending Kogi Central Senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.

The judge, Obiora Egwuatu, lifted the injunction on Wednesday, clearing the way for the Senate’s disciplinary process.

Court battle over suspension

Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan had filed an ex parte motion seeking to halt an investigation by the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Code of Conduct, chaired by Neda Imasuem.

The committee probed allegations of misconduct against her, stemming from an altercation with Senate President Godswill Akpabio during a 20 February plenary session.

In her suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/384/2025, she listed the Clerk of the National Assembly, the Senate, its President, and the committee chairman as the first to the fourth defendants.

On 4 March, Mr Egwuatu granted an interim injunction, suspending the Senate’s disciplinary process against her.

The ruling also declared that any action taken while the suit was pending would be null and void.

However, despite the court’s directive, the Senate, on 6 March, proceeded to suspend her for six months, accusing her of misconduct.

The Senate also directed that her office be sealed and all official properties in her possession returned to the Clerk of the National Assembly.

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Wednesday’s proceedings

At Wednesday’s proceedings, counsel for the Senate, Chikaosolu Ojukwu a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, adopted a motion he filed on 17 March 2025, which sought, among others, “An order discharging or staying the effect of Order No. 4 in the enrolled ex-parte orders of this Honourable Court made on 4 March 2025, as it prohibits the Senate from exercising its constitutional powers to make laws” and “such further orders as the court may deem fit and necessary in the circumstances of this case.”

He stressed that on 4 March, 2025, the court declared that “any action taken during the pendency of this suit is null, void, and of no effect whatsoever.”

According to him, the said order was vague, ambiguous, and lacking in specificity as it does not specify which of the parties it is targeted at or referring to, and what actions it relates to.

He argued that the law prohibits the granting of a vague order by a court of law, adding that the ex parte order was made to last until the determination of Natasha’s suit.

“By section 4 of the 1999 Constitution, the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is one of the Houses of the National Assembly established to make laws for the peace, order, and good governance of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

“The said Order No. 4 of 4 March 2025, as granted, effectively restrains the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria from conducting any of its legislative duties in accordance with its constitutional functions,” he submitted.

He contended that enforcing the said order has denied his clients fair hearing and would result in a constitutional crisis and anarchy, as the entire legislative duties of the Senate will be made to grind to a halt.

The legal team of other defendants, including the Senate President’s lawyer, Kehinde Ogunwumiju, a SAN, aligned with the submissions of Mr Ojukwu and urged the court to set aside the proceedings of March 4, including the orders made during those proceedings.

However, Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan’s lawyer, Michael Numa, a SAN, urged the court to discountenance the submissions of the defence.

He argued that the defence had not shown cause why the orders of the court should be set aside but was instead asking the court to set aside the orders.

He described the development as “clear legislative recklessness.”

Mr Ojukwu responded that there was a difference between court orders obtained by fraud and a bid to vary a subsisting court order.

Court ruling

Ruling on the submissions on Wednesday, the judge, Mr Egwuatu, held the position that setting aside the order nullifying any acAkpoti-Uduagh Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan’s case “will not in any way prejudice” her case.

The judge refused to set aside the proceedings of 4 March, wherein he made the orders, saying it was not part of the formal prayers of the defense.

“I set aside Order 4 made on 4 March 2025,” the judge said.

The court subsequently fixed 25 March for the hearing of all applications.

Background

The Senate’s disciplinary proceedings stemmed from an altercation between Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan and Mr Akpabio on 20 February. The altercation started when the former was asked to change her seat during plenary.

The dispute reportedly involved the reallocation of her seat in the chamber.

Following the incident, Adeyemi Adaramodu, a Senator, moved a motion, prompting the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions to open an investigation into alleged misconduct.

On 4 March, the Federal High Court intervened, issuing an order restraining the committee from proceeding with its inquiry.

The order, supported by an affidavit from Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan’s legal team, emphasised that she had a constitutional right to due process before any disciplinary action.

Despite this, the Senate moved forward with her suspension on 6 March.

Akpoti-Uduaghan’s response

In reaction to the Senate’s decision, Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan, through her lawyers, commenced a contempted action by filing a Form 48 Notice of Disobedience of Court Order at the Federal High Court in Abuja.

Citing Section 72 of the Sheriffs and Civil Process Act, 2004, her legal team warned that Mr Akpabio and other involved senators could be held in contempt of court, which could result in legal penalties, including imprisonment.

The contempt notice, dated 7 March, was officially signed by the court registrar and served to the Senate leadership.