Judge Withdraws from Akpoti-Uduaghan’s Case

Justice Obiora Egwuatu of the Federal High Court in Abuja recused himself from hearing the case filed by the suspended Senator for Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, on Tuesday. The judge’s decision came after a petition from Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, challenging his objectivity in the case.

Despite the suit being scheduled for hearing, Justice Egwuatu delivered a brief ruling announcing his decision to recuse himself. He ordered that the case file be returned to the Chief Judge for reassignment to another judge.

The case stems from a disciplinary proceeding initiated by the Senate against Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan for allegedly violating legislative rules. On March 4, Justice Egwuatu had issued an interim order halting the Senate’s Ethics Committee from proceeding with the disciplinary action. The ruling was made pending the determination of the suit filed by the lawmaker.

The court had given the defendants 72 hours to justify why an interlocutory injunction should not be issued to stop the Senate from probing Akpoti-Uduaghan without ensuring her constitutional rights were respected.

Akpoti-Uduaghan was also granted permission to serve court documents via substituted means, such as through the Clerk of the National Assembly or by publishing them in national newspapers.

Despite the interim ruling, the Senate Ethics Committee proceeded with a six-month suspension of the senator. In response, Justice Egwuatu amended his order, allowing the Senate to continue its activities while the legal challenge remains ongoing.

Akpabio, through his legal team, had questioned the court’s authority to intervene in the Senate’s internal matters. The case is now expected to be reassigned to another judge.