Court Restrains Senate Committee From Disciplinary Action Against Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan

The Federal High Court in Abuja has issued an order restraining the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions from proceeding with disciplinary action against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.

The ruling, delivered by Justice Obiora Egwuatu on Tuesday, follows an ex parte application filed by Akpoti-Uduaghan’s legal team.

The senator, representing Kogi Central, had been summoned before the committee after a heated confrontation with Senate President Godswill Akpabio during a plenary session on February 20.

Akpoti-Uduaghan had protested her assigned seat, defied Akpabio’s directives, and continued raising a point of order despite being overruled. This led to her referral to the Senate’s disciplinary committee. However, in a subsequent interview on February 28, the senator alleged that her troubles in the Senate stemmed from her rejection of sexual advances from Akpabio.

Meanwhile, police operatives have forcefully dispersed Akpoti-Uduaghan’s supporters who had gathered at the National Assembly Complex to protest the disciplinary proceedings. Witnesses reported that the protesters, who had assembled as early as 8 a.m., were driven away with tear gas to prevent disruptions.

They have since relocated to the Unity Fountain to continue their demonstration.