The Federal High Court in Abuja has instructed Senate President Godswill Akpabio and others to respond to a lawsuit filed by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central. Justice Obiora Egwuatu gave the order after confirming that all parties involved had received the necessary court documents.
The lawsuit, identified as FHC/ABJ/CS/384/2025, includes the Clerk of the National Assembly, the Senate, Akpabio, and Senator Neda Imasuem, who chairs the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Code of Conduct, as defendants.
Akpoti-Uduaghan is seeking a temporary court order to stop the committee from investigating her over allegations of misconduct related to events during the Senate session on February 20. On March 4, Justice Egwuatu granted her request, stating that any actions taken by the committee while the case is ongoing would be invalid.
The judge also allowed for substituted service, meaning court documents could be delivered through the Clerk of the National Assembly or posted at its office. He further directed the defendants to explain why the court should not issue an interim order to stop the investigation.
During Monday’s hearing, lawyers for the defendants claimed they had not received the lawsuit documents. However, Akpoti-Uduaghan’s lawyer, Michael Numa (SAN), presented evidence showing that the documents had been delivered. After reviewing the records, Justice Egwuatu confirmed that all parties had been properly served and ordered the defendants to submit their responses before the next hearing on March 25.
In a related development, the Senate, led by Akpabio, suspended Akpoti-Uduaghan for six months based on a report submitted by Imasuem’s committee.
