Justice Obiora Egwuatu of the Federal High Court in Abuja, Nigeria has withdrawn from presiding over the case involving suspended Kogi Central Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, following a petition from Senate President Godswill Akpabio questioning his impartiality.
In a ruling on Tuesday, Justice Egwuatu announced his decision to step down, stating that the case file would be reassigned to another judge by the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court.
The case stems from Akpoti-Uduaghan’s legal challenge against the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions, which initiated disciplinary proceedings against her for allegedly violating Senate rules. On March 4, Justice Egwuatu issued an interim order halting the committee’s actions pending the case’s determination.
The judge had also directed the defendants—including the Senate leadership—to justify within 72 hours why an interlocutory injunction should not be granted against them. He further ordered that court documents be served to them through substituted means, including publication in two national newspapers.
Despite this ruling, the Senate Committee proceeded with its hearings and suspended Akpoti-Uduaghan for six months. Following an appeal from the defendants, Justice Egwuatu later amended his order, lifting the restriction that had prevented the Senate from taking further action.
Meanwhile, Akpabio’s legal team, led by Kehinde Ogunwumiju, has questioned the court’s authority to interfere in the Senate’s internal affairs, intensifying the legal and political tensions surrounding the case.
