Godswill Akpabio, Akpoti to know fate as Court determines ‘misconduct case’ on June 27 

Justice Binta Nyako adjourned for judgment on Tuesday after hearing the final submissions from the legal teams of the parties regarding the pending suit filed by the female lawmaker, which challenges her suspension by the Senate over allegations of misconduct and claims of bias by one of the defendants.

Naijaonpoint previously reported on April 4, 2025, that the judge had barred Akpoti-Uduaghan, Akpabio, and the Senate from granting press or TV interviews and from making social media posts regarding the case, pending its determination.

It was also reported that Justice Obiora Egwuatu had earlier withdrawn from Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suit challenging her suspension.

Chief Judge John Tsoho subsequently reassigned the matter to Justice Binta Nyako.

Naijaonpoint reported that Akpoti-Uduaghan filed a case marked FHC/ABJ/CS/384/2025, naming 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, as defendants.

Justice Egwuatu later announced his withdrawal from the case, citing allegations of bias leveled against the court by one of the defendants.

He stated that justice is rooted in confidence in the court, and once a litigant expresses belief in the existence or likelihood of bias on the part of the judge, it is not in the interest of justice for the judge to continue.

At the resumed hearing on Tuesday, Akpoti-Uduaghan’s lawyer, Michael Numa, SAN, adopted his processes and urged the court to endorse them.

Counsel for the Clerk of the National Assembly, Charles Yoila, drew the court’s attention to his motion on notice challenging the court’s jurisdiction to determine the matter.

Counsel for the Nigerian Senate, Chikasolu Ojukwu, SAN, and J. Daudu, SAN, urged the court to uphold their preliminary objection and to find that Akpoti-Uduaghan did not comply with the court order restraining media interviews.

After hearing the parties, Justice Binta Nyako said she would first address the issue of contempt raised by the plaintiff, Akpabio, and the Senate, and make a decision on it.

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.

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.

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.