The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered Senate President Godswill Akpabio and others to file their defence in a suit brought by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central Senatorial District.
Justice Obiora Egwuatu gave the order on Monday after confirming from court records that all parties had been properly served with the necessary legal documents.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Akpoti-Uduaghan had filed the suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/384/2025, against the Clerk of the National Assembly, the Senate, the Senate President, and Senator Neda Imasuem, who chairs the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Code of Conduct.
The senator is challenging an investigation by the Senate into allegations of misconduct against her. She asked the court to stop the committee from proceeding with the probe, pending the outcome of her suit.
Justuce Egwuatu subsequently made an order “directing the 1st -4th defendants to come and show cause within 72 hours upon the service of the order on them why an order of interlocutory injunction should not be granted against them restraining them from proceeding with the purported investigation against the plaintiff for alleged misconduct without affording her privileges as stipulated in the 1999 Constitution (as amended), the Senate Standing Order 2023 and the Legislative Houses (Powers and Privileges) Act.”
At Monday’s hearing, lawyers representing Akpabio and the Senate claimed they had not received the legal documents, but Akpoti-Uduaghan’s lawyer, Michael Numa, disagreed.
“All parties have been duly served, and the affidavits of service are already before the court,” Numa stated.
After reviewing the court records, Justice Egwuatu confirmed that all defendants had indeed been served. He then ordered all parties to file and exchange their legal responses before the next hearing.
The judge adjourned the case until March 25 for hearing.
The Senate had suspended Akpoti-Uduaghan for six months on February 29, following the committee’s report on the alleged misconduct incident during the February 20 plenary session.
