Senate Probe: Court Adjourns Natasha’s Suit To March 25

Justice Obiora Egwatu of the Federal High Court, Abuja, has fixed the suit filed by the Senator representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, for March 25, 2025, for hearing.

The suspended lawmaker had prayed the court for an order, restraining the Senate Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct and Privileges from investigating her over alleged misconduct after a face-off with Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, over a seating arrangement in the Red Chamber.

The court granted the order last week Wednesday, but the Senate on Thursday suspended Senator Natasha for six months after it considered the report of the Committee.

During the proceedings on Monday, counsel to Natasha, Michael Numa (SAN), informed the court that all parties had been served, adding that affidavits of service were before the court.

After going through the affidavits of service before the court, Justice Egwatu confirmed service of all processes on all Defendants.

At this point, Counsel to the third Defendant, the Senate President, Kehinde Ogunwumiju, SAN, prayed the court for an adjournment for all processes to be harmonised.

Other Counsels supported the move, stressing that this will facilitate accelerated hearing at the next adjourned date.

In his ruling, Justice Egwatu, therefore, adjourned the matter to March 25, 2025, and ordered that all the relevant processes should be served on parties before the adjourned date.

The Deputy Chief Whip of the Senate, Senator Peter Nwaebonyi, who was present in court, said legal service was very important. He added that it was only when parties were properly served that they would be able to study the matter and respond accordingly.

He pointed out that it was strange for the court to interfere in the affairs of the Senate as the upper chamber only answered the call of the court for being a responsible and law-abiding institution.