Court Restrains Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan And Others From Public Remarks On Suspension Suit

All parties involved in the ongoing legal challenge surrounding Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension are prohibited from making public statements or giving media interviews on the subject by a restraining order issued by the Federal High Court in Abuja, which is presided over by Hon. Justice Binta Nyako.

Today, the case—which had just been moved to Justice Nyako after Justice Egwuatu recused himself—came up for discussion. Legal representatives for both parties appeared before the court.

Chief J.S. Okutepa, SAN, appeared for Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, while Umeh Kalu, SAN; Kehinde Ogunwumiju, SAN; Chikaosolu Ojukwu, SAN; and Paul Daudu, SAN, represented the Senate, the Senate President and its committee respectively.

Several applications, including preliminary objections contesting the original summons, have been submitted, according to Justice Nyako. She instructed all attorneys to provide the Court Registrar with a list and a synopsis of their filed procedures, noting which are considered pertinent or not, before the next adjourned date.

The Court additionally ordered that the substantive suit and all preliminary objections be heard concurrently on the next hearing date.

Justice Nyako emphasized that in cases involving conflicting affidavit evidence, oral testimony may be required to ensure substantial justice. However, she clarified that the issue of jurisdiction would be determined first before any consideration of the substantive claims made by the plaintiff in the same judgment.

Of particular significance, upon the application of counsel to the Senate President Kehinde Ogunwumiju SAN, Justice Nyako issued a formal order restraining all parties, including Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, their legal representatives, and members of the 10th National Assembly, from making public comments on the case through any media platforms, traditional or social. The restriction also extends to legal and political analysts, commentators, and media guests on radio and television programs.

This development follows recent public engagements by Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, including comments made at the Inter-Parliamentary Union meeting in New York, where she alleged that her suspension was a result of accusations she made concerning s*xual harassment by Senate President Godswill Akpabio. She subsequently granted interviews to multiple local and international media outlets, including the BBC, SKY, and DEW.

The hearing of the substantive case and any interlocutory applications has been postponed until May 12, 2025. After that, a judgment date will be set.