Justice Obiora Egwatu of the Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned the lawsuit filed by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, to March 25, 2025. The Senator had sought a court order to prevent the Senate Committee on Ethics and Privileges from investigating her.
While the court granted the order last week, the Senate proceeded to suspend Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan for six months following a report from the Senate Ethics Committee.
During today’s proceedings, counsel for the first, second, and third defendants, including Senate President Godswill Akpabio, informed the court that they had not been properly served with the relevant documents. However, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s counsel, Michael Numa (SAN), assured the court that all parties had indeed been served and submitted affidavits of service.
After reviewing the affidavits, Justice Egwatu confirmed that all defendants had been served with the necessary documents. Counsel for the third defendant, Senate President Akpabio, requested an adjournment to allow time for all processes to be harmonized, a motion supported by other counsel to facilitate a smoother and more efficient hearing.
Justice Egwatu agreed to the adjournment, setting the new date for March 25, 2025, and directed that all relevant processes be served on the parties before the adjourned date.
Senator Peter Nwaebonyi, the Deputy Chief Whip of the Senate, who was present in court, emphasized the importance of legal services and proper service of documents. He also expressed concerns about the court’s interference in Senate matters, asserting that the Senate was simply complying with the court’s call as a responsible institution.
