A Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned the lawsuit filed by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan against the Senate until March 25, 2025.
The case challenges her recent six-month suspension, which was imposed despite a court order restraining the Senate Committee on Ethics and Privileges from investigating her.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan had initially sought a court injunction to prevent the Senate from probing her, which the court granted last week. However, the Senate proceeded with its inquiry and subsequently suspended her. During Monday’s court session, the legal representatives for the defendants claimed they had not been served with court documents.
Her lawyer, Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Michael Numa, countered this assertion, stating that all parties had been duly served, with affidavits of service submitted to the court. After reviewing the documents, Justice Obiora Egwatu confirmed that all processes had indeed been served.
Kehinde Ogunwumiju, counsel for Senate President Godswill Akpabio, requested an adjournment to allow time for harmonizing legal submissions. Other defense counsels supported the motion, arguing that it would help expedite proceedings at the next hearing.
Granting the request, Justice Egwatu adjourned the case and directed that all necessary court documents be served before the new hearing date.
Deputy Chief Whip of the Senate, Peter Nwaebonyi, who was present in court, defended the Senate’s actions, arguing that as a law-abiding institution, it was only responding to legal obligations.
He, however, questioned the court’s interference in the Senate’s internal affairs.
The case is set to resume on March 25, where the court will determine the legality of Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension.
