A Federal High Court in Abuja has restrained the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions from probing Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan over alleged misconduct following a clash with Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
This ruling comes amid Akpoti-Uduaghan’s formal petition against Akpabio, accusing him of sexual harassment.
According to the enrolled court order obtained by our Correspondent on Wednesday, the court said, “Upon reading the twenty-five (25) paragraphed Affidavit in support of the Motion Ex-parte and the Affidavit of Urgency, both deposed to by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, Adult, Female, Christian, Nigerian citizen of Kogi Central Senatorial District, and the Written Address, all filed at the Registry of this Court.
“After hearing Sanusi Musa SAN, M. J. Numa SAN, Y. M. Zakari Esq., B. J. Tabai Esq., Tijanni Jimol Esq., and Miss M. C. Bekee Esq., Counsel for the Applicant, arguing the application and urging the Court to grant the reliefs sought.
“And the Court having delivered its Bench Ruling in open Court, its reasonings and conclusions are as contained in the body of the Bench Ruling. It is hereby ordered as follows: 1. An order of this Honourbale Court is made granting leave to the Plaintiff/Applicant to serve the 2nd – 4th Defendants/Respondents with the Originating Summons and all other accompanying processes in this Suit by substituted means, to wit: by serving same through the 1st Defendant (Clerk of the National Assembly) or pasting same on the premises of the National Assembly and publishing same in two national dailies.
“2. An Order of Interim Injuction of this Honourable Court is made restraining the 2nd Defendant/Defendant’s Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Code of Conduct, headed by the 4th Defendant, from proceeding with the purported investigation against the Plaintiff/Applicant for alleged misconduct, sequel to the events that occurred at the plenary of the 2nd Defendant on the 20th day of February 2025, pursuant to the referral by the 2nd Defendant on the 25th of February 2025, pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice for interlocutory injunction.
“3. An order of this Honourable Court is made directing the 1st – 4th Defendants to show cause within 72 hours upon the service of this order on them, why an order of interlocutory injunction should not be granted against them, restraining them from proceeding with the purported investigation against the Plaintiff for alleged misconduct without affording her privileges as stipulated in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (As Amended), the Senate Standing Order 2023, and the Legislative Houses (Powers and Privileges) Act.”
The Kogi Central senator, who initially made the allegations during an interview on Arise TV, officially submitted her petition to the Senate on Wednesday.
She claimed that Akpabio had harassed her and that she had endured persistent intimidation from the Senate leadership.
In response, the Senate spokesperson stated that no investigation into the allegations against Akpabio would be conducted, citing the lack of a formal petition at the National Assembly level.
Following the allegations, Akpoti-Uduaghan filed a defamation lawsuit against Akpabio and his senior aide, Mfon Patrick, seeking ₦100 billion in damages and ₦300 million in litigation costs.
The lawsuit, filed at the Federal Capital Territory High Court, alleges that defamatory statements against her were published on social media, harming her reputation.
The Senate’s attempt to discipline Akpoti-Uduaghan stems from a February 20 incident where she clashed with Akpabio over seat allocation.
The matter was referred to the Senate Ethics Committee for review after a voice vote during plenary.
However, Akpoti-Uduaghan obtained a court injunction halting the probe, arguing that the committee’s actions violated her privileges under the Nigerian Constitution and Senate Standing Orders.
The developments have drawn national attention, with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar calling for a thorough investigation into Akpoti-Uduaghan’s allegations.
He said the seriousness of the claims and urged the Senate to uphold accountability.
As the controversy unfolds, the case underscores tensions within the Nigerian Senate and raises broader concerns about the treatment of female lawmakers in the country’s political landscape.
