Senate President, Mr. Godswill Akpabio, has raised concerns over the jurisdiction of a Federal High Court in Abuja to hear the lawsuit filed by the suspended lawmaker, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central Senatorial District.
Akpabio, through his legal team led by Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Mr. Kehinde Ogunwumiju, questioned the court’s authority to interfere in the Senate’s internal matters.
During yesterday’s proceedings, the defense argued that Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan had not properly served the court documents, preventing them from filing the necessary applications to challenge the suit’s competence.
Along with Akpabio, other defendants in the case include the Clerk of the National Assembly, the Senate, and the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions.
The plaintiff’s lawyer, Mr. Michael Numa, SAN, countered by stating that all parties had been properly served, presenting affidavits of service to the court.
After reviewing the affidavits, Justice Obiora Egwatu confirmed that all defendants had been served. At this point, Akpabio’s lawyer requested a brief adjournment to allow for the harmonization of the necessary processes.
With all lawyers agreeing, Justice Egwuatu adjourned the case to March 25, ordering the parties to file and exchange all relevant documents before then.
On March 4, the court had issued an interim order halting the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions from proceeding with the disciplinary action against Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan.
The court ruled that the disciplinary proceedings should remain on hold pending the resolution of the suit filed by the embattled lawmaker. It further directed the defendants to show cause within 72 hours why the court should not issue an interlocutory injunction to prevent them from probing the plaintiff for alleged misconduct without granting her the constitutional privileges, as stipulated in the 1999 Constitution (as amended), the Senate Standing Orders 2023, and the Legislative Houses (Powers and Privileges) Act.
Justice Egwuatu also authorized the plaintiff to serve the originating summons and other documents on the defendants through substituted means, including delivering them to the Clerk of the National Assembly or by posting them at the National Assembly premises and publishing them in two national newspapers.
These interim orders were made following an ex-parte application and an affidavit of urgency filed by Akpoti-Uduaghan. Despite the court’s orders, the Senate Ethics Committee continued with its proceedings and imposed a six-month suspension on the plaintiff.