Timothy Omobude 
Justice Obiora Egwuatu of a Federal High Court in Abuja, on Tuesday issued an order restraining the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions from carrying out disciplinary action against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
The Judge while delivering ruling on an ex parte application filed by Akpoti-Uduaghan’s legal team, also granted an interim injunction restraining the Senate committee, chaired by the fourth defendant, from investigating the Senator over allegations of misconduct.
He directed that Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s summons and related legal documents be served to the defendants through the Clerk of the National Assembly or published in two national newspapers.
Additionally, the court ordered the defendants to justify within 72 hours why a full injunction should not be issued against the proceedings.
The ruling emphasizes that the Senator must be afforded the privileges outlined in the Nigerian Constitution, the Senate Standing Order 2023, and the Legislative Houses (Powers and Privileges) Act.
Recall that the Senate had during plenary on February 20, after a motion by Senator Adeyemi Raphael Adaramodu, referred the Kogi Central Senator to the Committee.
Meanwhile, a letter from the Senate Committee’s Clerk, Christian Onwusonye, informed Akpoti-Uduaghan that her public hearing had been rescheduled.
While the new date was not disclosed, the committee clarified that the postponement did not alter the substance of the initial invitation. The letter also expressed regret over any inconvenience caused by the change.
With the Courts intervention, the disciplinary proceedings are now on hold, pending further legal arguments.
While Akpoti-Uduaghan has not yet commented on the ruling, the Senate Committee however, maintains that the matter remains within its jurisdiction.
