BREAKING: Court reverses order which nullified any ‘Senate’ action during Natasha’s suit against Akpabio 

Justice Obiora Egwuatu gave the order in a ruling on Wednesday.

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).

The judge also directed the “1st to 4th defendants to appear within 72 hours of being served the order and show cause why an interlocutory injunction should not be granted against them, restraining them from proceeding with the purported investigation against the plaintiff (Akpoti-Uduaghan) without affording her the privileges stipulated in the 1999 Constitution (as amended), the Senate Standing Orders 2023, and the Legislative Houses (Powers and Privileges) Act.” 

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.” 

“By section 4 of the 1999 Constitution, the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is one of the Houses of the National Assembly established to make laws for the peace, order, and good governance of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.” 

“The said Order No. 4 of 4th March 2025, as granted, effectively restrains the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria from conducting any of its legislative duties in accordance with its constitutional functions,” he submitted.

However, Akpoti-Uduaghan’s lawyer, Michael Numa SAN, urged the court to discountenance the submissions of the defense.

Ruling on the submissions on Wednesday, Justice Egwuatu held the position that setting aside the order nullifying any action pending Natasha’s case “will not in any way prejudice” her case.

“I set aside Order 4 made on 4th March 2025,” the judge said.

The Court subsequently fixed March 25, 2025, for the hearing of all applications.

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

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

She resisted the relocation, leading to a confrontation with Akpabio.

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.