Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court in Abuja has scheduled June 27 for the final judgment in the legal challenge brought by suspended Kogi Central Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan against her suspension from the Senate, okay.ng reports.
Akpoti-Uduaghan, who was suspended by the Senate under the leadership of Senate President Godswill Akpabio over allegations of misconduct, has contested the suspension as unfair and biased. She initiated the court case to overturn the Senate’s decision.
The defendants in the suit include the National Assembly, the Senate, Senate President Akpabio, and Senator Neda Imasuem, chair of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Code of Conduct.
Originally assigned to Justice Obiorah Egwuatu, the case was reassigned to Justice Nyako after Egwuatu stepped down. During Monday’s hearing, Akpoti-Uduaghan’s lawyer, Jibrin Okutekpa, informed the court that all intended documents had been submitted as previously directed.
Legal representatives for the Senate and Senate President, Paul Daudu and Ekwo Ejembi, confirmed their submissions but accused Akpoti-Uduaghan of violating a court order by posting a satirical apology to the Senate President on Facebook and in newspapers on March 27. Akpoti-Uduaghan’s counsel, Michael Numan, denied any connection between the senator and the alleged contemptuous statement, insisting it had “no nexus with the plaintiff.” The court will rule on these issues alongside the suspension case.
