Akpabio Challenges Court’s Jurisdiction As Lawyers Clash Over Service Of Processes In Akpoti-Uduaghan’s Suspension Suit

The Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned the suit filed by the suspended Senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, to March 25, 2025, following claims by the respondents that they had not been served with the necessary legal documents.

At the resumed hearing on Monday, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, through his counsel, Kehinde Ogunwumiju (SAN), challenged the court’s jurisdiction to entertain the case, arguing that it lacked the authority to interfere in the Senate’s internal affairs.

Akpoti-Uduaghan had approached the court seeking an order to halt the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions from investigating her over alleged misconduct. On March 4, the court, presided over by Justice Obiora Egwuatu, issued an interim order restraining the committee from proceeding with the disciplinary process. However, despite this ruling, the Senate went ahead and suspended her for six months.

Justice Egwuatu, in his initial ruling, had directed the Senate to justify why it should not be restrained from probing Akpoti-Uduaghan without affording her privileges enshrined in the Nigerian Constitution, the Senate Standing Order 2023, and the Legislative Houses (Powers and Privileges) Act.

The court specifically:

However, despite these directives, the Senate proceeded with its disciplinary action and, on March 6, officially suspended Akpoti-Uduaghan for six months after considering the committee’s report.

At Monday’s hearing, counsel for Akpabio and other respondents, including the Clerk of the National Assembly and the Senate, claimed they had not been properly served with the legal documents. Akpoti-Uduaghan’s counsel, Michael Numa (SAN), countered that all parties had been duly served, pointing to affidavits of service already on record.

After reviewing the affidavits, Justice Egwuatu confirmed that the defendants had indeed been served. However, Akpabio’s counsel requested an adjournment to allow all legal processes to be harmonized. Other respondents’ counsel supported this request, arguing that it would ensure an accelerated hearing on the next adjourned date.

In response, Justice Egwuatu granted the adjournment and directed all parties to file and exchange all necessary legal documents before the next hearing on March 25, 2025.