BREAKING: Justice Egwuatu Withdraws From Natasha’s Suit After Petition From Akpabio

• Justice Egwuatu withdrew from Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s case after a petition by Akpabio.
• The Senate suspended Akpoti-Uduaghan despite a court order halting disciplinary actions.
• The case will be reassigned as the legal battle over her suspension continues.

Justice Obiora Egwuatu of the Federal High Court in Abuja has withdrawn from the case involving suspended Kogi Central Senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, following a petition from Senate President Godswill Akpabio questioning his objectivity.

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EKO HOT BLOG reports that the judge made the announcement in a brief ruling on Tuesday, stating that the case file would be returned to the Chief Judge for reassignment. This decision follows a series of legal battles over the Senate’s disciplinary actions against Akpoti-Uduaghan.

On March 4, Justice Egwuatu had issued an interim order stopping the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions from taking action against the senator, who was accused of violating legislative rules. However, despite this order, the committee proceeded with its probe and suspended her for six months, prompting further legal action.

In response, the judge had directed the defendants to provide reasons within 72 hours why an injunction should not be granted to halt the investigation. The injunction sought to prevent the Senate from probing Akpoti-Uduaghan’s alleged misconduct until the case was resolved, citing constitutional violations and breaches of Senate rules.

Senate President Akpabio, through his legal team led by Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Kehinde Ogunwumiju, challenged the court’s jurisdiction, arguing that judicial intervention in Senate affairs was inappropriate. This legal dispute ultimately led to Justice Egwuatu’s decision to step aside.

With the judge’s recusal, the case now awaits reassignment to another judge as the legal standoff over Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension continues.

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