A Federal High Court in Abuja has issued an interim injunction preventing the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions from conducting disciplinary proceedings against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central.
The order was granted by Judge Obiora Egwuatu on Tuesday, March 4, in response to an ex parte application submitted by Akpoti-Uduaghan’s legal team.
This ruling comes as the committee was poised to meet and potentially impose an indefinite suspension on the senator.
The interim injunction halts all proceedings related to the matter pending further judicial review.
In the court’s decision, it was noted, “Upon reviewing the twenty-five (25) paragraph affidavit supporting the Motion Ex parte and the Affidavit of Urgency, both submitted by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, along with the Written Address filed at the Court Registry, the following orders were made:
- Approval is granted for the Plaintiff/Applicant to serve the 2nd – 4th Defendants/Respondents with the Originating Summons and all related documents by substituted means, specifically through the 1st Defendant (Clerk of the National Assembly) or by posting the documents at the National Assembly premises and publishing them in two national newspapers.
- An interim injunction is issued to restrain the 2nd Defendant’s Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Code of Conduct, led by the 4th Defendant, from proceeding with the investigation into the Plaintiff’s alleged misconduct related to events during a plenary session on February 20, 2025, following a referral on February 25, 2025. This is to remain in effect until the Motion on Notice for an interlocutory injunction is heard and resolved.
- An order is made requiring the 1st – 4th Defendants to show cause within 72 hours of being served with this order why an interlocutory injunction should not be granted against them, preventing any further investigation into the Plaintiff’s alleged misconduct, without her being afforded the privileges outlined in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (As Amended), the Senate Standing Order 2023, and the Legislative Houses (Powers and Privileges) Act.”
