Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central, has taken legal action against Senate President Godswill Akpabio following her six-month suspension from the Senate.
She has filed a contempt charge at the Federal High Court in Abuja, naming Akpabio, the Clerk of the National Assembly, and Senator Neda Imasuem, who chairs the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Code of Conduct, as respondents in the case.
Akpoti-Uduaghan argues that her suspension violates a court order issued on March 4, which had restrained the Senate leadership from taking disciplinary action against her.
The court, through a notice signed by its Registrar, warned that Akpabio, Imasuem, and the Clerk of the National Assembly could face contempt charges, which may lead to imprisonment.
The court documents indicate that the Senate leadership ignored the injunction and went ahead with actions that defied the court’s authority.
Justice Obiora Egwuatu had earlier ruled that the Senate Committee should halt its investigation into Akpoti-Uduaghan over allegations related to events at the Senate plenary on February 20, which led to her suspension.
The judge also instructed the Senate leadership to justify why an order preventing them from further punitive measures against her should not be issued.
The court declared that any action taken against the senator while the case is ongoing is invalid.
Akpoti-Uduaghan has been permitted to serve the legal documents to the defendants through alternative means, including delivery to the Clerk of the National Assembly, posting at the National Assembly premises, or publication in newspapers.
In response, Akpabio has questioned the court’s jurisdiction, arguing that the judiciary has no right to interfere in Senate matters. The case is set for further hearing on March 25.
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