The Federal High Court in Abuja has scheduled June 27 to deliver judgment in the lawsuit filed by suspended Kogi Central senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, challenging her removal from the Senate.
Justice Binta Nyako, who is now presiding over the case, fixed the date after parties confirmed they had submitted all necessary documents for the final stage of the proceedings.
Akpoti-Uduaghan is contesting her suspension by the Senate, led by President Godswill Akpabio, over alleged misconduct. She insists the action was unjust and politically motivated.
In her suit, she named the National Assembly, the Senate, Senate President Akpabio, and Senator Neda Imasuen, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Code of Conduct, as defendants.
The case initially began before Justice Obiorah Egwuatu, who later recused himself, leading to its reassignment to Justice Nyako.
At Monday’s hearing, Akpoti-Uduaghan’s lead counsel, Jibrin Okutekpa (SAN), confirmed that all required documents had been filed in compliance with the court’s instructions. Legal representatives for the Senate and the Senate President—Paul Daudu and Ekwo Ejembi—also said they had submitted their filings.
However, they accused Akpoti-Uduaghan of contempt of court, claiming she disobeyed an earlier order by posting a satirical apology to the Senate President on Facebook on March 27 and publishing it in several newspapers.
In response, Akpoti-Uduaghan’s co-counsel, Michael Numan, acknowledged receiving the contempt motion but argued that a similar motion had earlier been filed against the defendants. He also maintained that the controversial statement attributed to Akpoti-Uduaghan had no link to her.
Justice Nyako is expected to rule on both the suspension and the contempt claims when she delivers the final judgment on June 27.
