Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court, Abuja, has fixed June 27 to deliver judgment on the suit filed by suspended Kogi Central lawmaker, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, challenging her suspension.
The suit was filed against the Clerk of the National Assembly, the Senate, its President, Godswill Akpabio, and Senator Neda Imasuen, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Code of Conduct.
During the hearing, arguments centered on the proper processes to be adopted.
Counsel for the third defendant, Kehinde Ogunwunniju, applied for all parties to formally withdraw processes no longer relied upon.
Justice Nyako, however advised that such an application should have been made earlier.
The court opted to adopt all filed processes and sift out irrelevant ones.
The defendants’ counsel adopted their processes, challenging the court’s jurisdiction and objecting to the grant of interlocutory injunctions.
They urged the court to dismiss the originating processes or strike out the suit for want of jurisdiction.
After listening to all parties, Justice Nyako stated that she would first consider contempt issues and preliminary objections. “If they succeed, the matter stops there; if not, we proceed,” she said, adjourning the case to June 27 for judgment.
Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended by the Senate on March 5, 2025, despite a court order restraining the Senate from taking disciplinary action against her.
The case was reassigned to Justice Nyako after Justice Obiora Egwuatu recused himself due to allegations of bias.
