A Federal High Court Judge in Abuja, Justice Obiora Egwuatu, has officially stepped down from a highly controversial case involving the suspended senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
Justice Egwuatu made this decision on Tuesday, March 25, following a formal petition submitted by the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, questioning his neutrality in the case.
The court session was initially set to continue proceedings on the matter, but when the case was called, Justice Egwuatu publicly announced his withdrawal, citing the petition as the primary reason for his decision.
He further stated that the case file would be returned to the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court for reassignment to a new judge. This unexpected development has added a new layer of complexity to an already tense legal battle.
The case stems from an earlier ruling by Justice Egwuatu on March 4, where he issued an interim order preventing the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions from proceeding with disciplinary actions against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
The senator had been accused of violating Senate rules, leading to a disciplinary process initiated against her. However, Justice Egwuatu ruled that any punitive action against her should be halted until the court fully reviewed the legal and constitutional merits of the allegations.
As part of his ruling, the court also instructed the defendants to present a justification within 72 hours explaining why the Senate’s investigation against Akpoti-Uduaghan should proceed despite constitutional requirements, the Senate Standing Order 2023, and the Legislative Houses (Powers and Privileges) Act.
Despite the interim order, the Senate Committee proceeded with its inquiry and eventually suspended Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan for six months. This move raised legal concerns about whether the Senate had defied the court’s ruling.
Following the senator’s suspension, Justice Egwuatu later reviewed his initial order and modified it, removing the restriction that prevented the Senate from taking further action while the case was ongoing. This modification seemingly allowed the Senate to proceed with its disciplinary measures.
Meanwhile, Senate President Akpabio’s legal team, led by renowned lawyer Kehinde Ogunwumiju, challenged the court’s authority to interfere in internal legislative affairs. Akpabio’s legal representatives argued that the judiciary had no jurisdiction to dictate how the Senate manages its disciplinary proceedings, intensifying the legal conflict between both sides.
With Justice Egwuatu now stepping down, the case will be reassigned to a different judge, further prolonging the legal battle and leaving many questions unanswered regarding Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s political future.