A Federal High Court in Abuja has restrained the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions from conducting disciplinary proceedings against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
The court’s order was given by Presiding Judge Obiora Egwuatu on Tuesday, following an ex parte application filed by Akpoti-Uduaghan’s counsel.
The dispute began on February 20, when Akpoti-Uduaghan clashed with Senate President Godswill Akpabio over seat allocation.
She rejected her assigned seat, defied Akpabio’s order, and repeatedly raised a point of order despite being overruled.
As a result, the Senate referred Akpoti-Uduaghan to the ethics committee for disciplinary review.
However, Akpoti-Uduaghan alleged that her trouble in the Senate began after she rejected sexual advances from Akpabio.
The court has ordered the defendants to show cause within 72 hours why an interlocutory injunction should not be issued against them. The case has been adjourned to March 10.
In a related development, Akpoti-Uduaghan has formally submitted a petition against Akpabio, accusing him of sexual harassment.
