Alleged misconduct: Judge withdraws from Natasha’s suit against Akpabio, give reasons 

Recall that the judge had, on Wednesday, March 19, 2025, set aside(reversed) its earlier order, which nullified “any action” taken during  Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s pending suit, which challenges her suspension by the Senate over allegations of misconduct.

Justice Obiora Egwuatu gave the order of recusal on Tuesday.

Naijaonpoint previously reported that Akpoti-Uduaghan had filed a motion ex parte, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/384/2025, suing the Clerk of the National Assembly (NASS), the Senate, the Senate President, and Senator Neda Imasuem, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Code of Conduct.

The lawmaker sought an “order of interim injunction restraining the Senate’s committee, chaired by Imasuem, from proceeding with the purported investigation against her for alleged misconduct, which stemmed from events that occurred during plenary on February 20 and were referred by the Senate on February 25, pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice for an interlocutory injunction.” 

On March 4, 2025, Justice Egwuatu granted Akpoti-Uduaghan’s motion, barring the parties from taking further action against her while the suit was pending( Order 4).

Naijaonpoint previously reported that amid the court order, the Nigerian Senate went ahead to suspend Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan for six months, effective March 6, 2025, citing violations of Senate rules.

In subsequent proceedings, Justice Egwuatu ordered the defendants to file their defense in the case.

At Wednesday’s proceedings, counsel for the Senate, Chikaosolu Ojukwu SAN, adopted a motion he filed on March 17, 2025, which seeks, among other reliefs, “An order discharging or staying the effect of Order No. 4 in the Enrolled ex-parte Orders of this Honourable Court made on 4th March 2025, as it prohibits the Senate from exercising its constitutional powers to make laws” and “such further orders as the Court may deem fit and necessary in the circumstances of this case.”

Ruling on the submissions on Wednesday, Justice Egwuatu “set aside Order 4 made on 4th March 2025”.

At the resumed proceedings on Tuesday, Justice Obiora Egwuatu recused himself from the suit.

“One of the defendants in this matter has expressed such beliefs(of bias) in writing. In that circumstance, the honorable thing for the court to do is to desist from the conduct of the matter,” he added.

The judge subsequently ordered that the case file be remitted back to the Chief Judge, Justice John Tsoho, for further directive.

The altercation between Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan and Senate President Akpabio became widely publicized after she was asked to change her seat during plenary.

On February 28, 2025, Akpoti-Uduaghan accused Akpabio of making inappropriate advances toward her during a visit to his home in December 2023.

Her suspension has sparked mixed reactions within the political landscape.

Her suspension has sparked mixed reactions within the political landscape.

While some lawmakers and analysts view the decision as a necessary enforcement of legislative discipline, others argue that the penalties are excessive and could set a dangerous precedent for stifling dissent within the Senate.