A Federal High Court in Abuja has temporarily stopped the Senate Committee on Ethics from proceeding with its investigation into Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan. The court’s decision effectively puts the committee’s planned proceedings on hold.
Justice Obiora Egwuatu granted the interim order on Tuesday after reviewing an ex parte motion filed by Akpoti-Uduaghan’s legal team. The senator, who represents Kogi Central, had sought judicial intervention to halt the inquiry.
The Senate Committee had been preparing to deliberate on the matter, with the possibility of recommending an indefinite suspension for Akpoti-Uduaghan. However, the court’s ruling has stalled any further action pending a detailed judicial review.
The dispute began on February 20, 2025, when Akpoti-Uduaghan arrived at a Senate session to find her assigned seat had been reassigned without prior notice. Viewing the move as an attempt to sideline her and limit her participation, she refused to accept the new arrangement.
Her resistance led to a tense exchange with Senate President Godswill Akpabio, who instructed the sergeant-at-arms to enforce the seating change. In response, the Senate voted to refer the matter to the Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions for review. The committee, chaired by Senator Neda Imaseun, was given two weeks to present its findings.
Meanwhile, Akpoti-Uduaghan has taken legal action against Senate President Akpabio and his aide, Mfon Patrick, filing a N100 billion defamation lawsuit. The senator claims that a Facebook post allegedly made at Akpabio’s instruction contained damaging statements about her character and legislative performance.
In the lawsuit, she is seeking financial compensation and a public apology, asserting that the publication tarnished her reputation and subjected her to public ridicule.