Senate Committee Set to Probe Akpoti-Uduaghan on Wednesday Despite Restraining Order

The Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions is moving ahead with plans to probe Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan on Wednesday, despite a Federal High Court order halting the proceedings.

A Federal High Court in Abuja had issued an order stopping the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions from proceeding with disciplinary actions against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.

The ruling, delivered on Tuesday, March 4 by Justice Obiora Egwuatu, followed an ex parte application from Akpoti-Uduaghan’s legal team.

The court granted an interim injunction restraining the committee from continuing an investigation into the senator over an alleged misconduct during a February 20 plenary session.

The dispute, which involved a disagreement over the reallocation of Akpoti-Uduaghan’s seat, led to her summons by the committee after a motion was filed by Senator Adeyemi Raphael Adaramodu.

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In a letter dated Wednesday, the Clerk to the Committee informed Akpoti-Uduaghan of a rescheduled public hearing, which Warri Sentinel gathers it is today, Wednesday March 5.

Before the hearing was rescheduled, Senator Neda Imasuen, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Relations, confirmed the change during an interview on Arise Television on Wednesday but stated that the media would not be allowed.

He also dismissed allegations of sexual misconduct against Senate President Godswill Akpabio, insisting Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan will get a fair hearing.

Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan has not publicly commented on the court’s decision.