Just in: Judge hands off Natasha’s case, cites Akpabio’s petition

With the resignation of Justice Obiora Egwuatu of the Federal High Court in Abuja, the legal dispute between suspended senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan and the Nigerian Senate has taken a dramatic turn.

The judge announced that he would be stepping aside as a result of a petition that the judge filed against the judge, which alleged the judge was impartial, when the case was scheduled for hearing on Tuesday.

Egwuatu made a statement stating that he would turn over the case file to the Chief Judge, who would then designate a new judge.

The judge effectively halted the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions from pursuing disciplinary actions against Akpoti-Uduaghan on March 4 according to Persecondnews’ previous reporting.

The senator is accused of breaking the Senate’s code of conduct and rules.

Egwuatu also provided the defendants with 72 hours to explain why the court shouldn’t launch an investigation into the Senator without violating the provisions of the 1999 Constitution, Senate Standing Order 2023, and Legislative Houses (Powers and Privileges) Act.

He gave the defendants’ attorneys permission to use substituted means to serve legal documents on them.

The court ordered that the legal documents be delivered either by posting them on the National Assembly’s premises or by handing them over to the clerk of the assembly.

Additionally, the court mandated that the documents be made available for public viewing through at least two national newspapers.

Following Akpoti-Uduaghan’s urgent application, the interim order was issued.

The Senate Committee convened in spite of the court’s ruling, which led to Akpoti-Uduaghan’s six-month suspension.

Justice Egwuatu revised and revised his initial order after receiving the defendants’ requests.

He lifted the bar that the Senate could not pursue the senator’s legal challenge while the case was pending.

The court’s authority to interfere with Senate affairs was challenged by the legal team representing Akpabio, led by Mr. Kehinde Ogunwumiju (SAN).

Sen. Akpoti-Uduaghan’s heated argument sparked serious allegations of sexual harassment and defamation, which escalated to serious allegations of defamation and harassment against Akpabio.

Source: Per Second News