An Abuja Federal High Court has issued an interim order halting the Senate Ethics Committee’s investigation of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
The order temporarily suspends the committee’s proceedings.
Justice Obiora Egwuatu delivered the ruling on Tuesday following an ex parte application submitted by Akpoti-Uduaghan’s legal team.
The order effectively stops further deliberations by the committee, which had been scheduled to consider imposing an indefinite suspension on the senator.
The court’s decision comes just as the committee, led by Senator Neda Imaseun was preparing to review the senator’s conduct. The suspension of proceedings will remain in place pending further judicial review.
Credible News recalls that on February 20, 2025, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central, found that her seat in the Senate had been reassigned without prior notice.
READ ALSO : Natasha accuses Akpabio of harassment
Viewing the reassignment as an attempt to undermine her visibility and reduce her influence in the chamber, Akpoti-Uduaghan refused to occupy the new seat.
Senate Chief Whip Tahir Monguno defended the seating change, citing the need for adjustments due to shifts in party affiliations among senators.
However, Akpoti-Uduaghan held firm in her position, which led to a heated confrontation with Senate President Godswill Akpabio. The Senate President directed the sergeant-at-arms to enforce the seating change.
Following the dispute, the Senate voted unanimously to refer Akpoti-Uduaghan to the Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions for disciplinary review.
The committee was expected to submit its findings within two weeks.
In response to the incident, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan filed a N100 billion defamation lawsuit against Akpabio and his aide, Mfon Patrick.
The lawsuit claims that a Facebook post allegedly authorized by Akpabio contained defamatory statements about the senator, questioning her legislative abilities and commenting negatively on her appearance.
The suit seeks both damages and a public apology, asserting that the post damaged Akpoti-Uduaghan’s reputation and subjected her to public ridicule.
Crediblenewsng.com
