A Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed June 27 to deliver judgment in the legal battle between suspended Kogi Central senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, and the Nigerian Senate.
Justice Binta Nyako will give the final ruling in the case, in which Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan is challenging her suspension from the Senate over allegations of misconduct.
The suspension, which was approved under the leadership of Senate President Godswill Akpabio, prompted Akpoti-Uduaghan to file a lawsuit, claiming the decision was unjust and influenced by personal bias.
In her suit, Akpoti-Uduaghan named the National Assembly, the Senate, the Senate President, and Senator Neda Imasuen — who chairs the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Code of Conduct — as defendants.
The case was initially assigned to Justice Obiorah Egwuatu but was later reassigned to Justice Nyako after Justice Egwuatu stepped down.
During the court session on Monday, Akpoti-Uduaghan’s lead counsel, Jibrin Okutekpa, informed the court that all required documents had been submitted, as previously directed.
Lawyers representing the Senate and the Senate President — Paul Daudu and Ekwo Ejembi — confirmed they had also submitted their legal documents but raised concerns that Akpoti-Uduaghan may have violated a court order.
The Senate’s legal team accused the senator of contempt of court, citing a satirical apology she posted to the Senate President on her Facebook page on March 27, which also appeared in several newspapers. They argued that this public statement went against a standing court directive.
In response, one of Akpoti-Uduaghan’s lawyers, Michael Numan, acknowledged receipt of the motion accusing her of contempt. He also reminded the court that they had earlier filed a similar motion accusing the defendants of disobeying the court.
Numan argued that the controversial statement attributed to his client was not directly connected to her and should not be considered a violation of the court’s instructions.
Justice Nyako is expected to rule on the case on June 27, potentially bringing an end to the high-profile legal dispute surrounding Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension from the Senate.