KEY POINTS

• A Federal High Court judge recused himself from the case filed by Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, delaying her challenge against the Senate’s suspension.
• The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, has filed an appeal, challenging the court’s ruling and seeking to halt the ongoing legal proceedings.
• Akpoti-Uduaghan’s case faces multiple setbacks, with the potential for further delays as her legal team battles to overturn the Senate’s suspension.

A judge of the Federal High Court in Abuja, Obiora Egwuatu, has withdrawn from hearing the case filed by Kogi Central Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who is challenging her suspension by the Senate.

According to PREMIUM TIMES, the decision to recuse himself came after a petition from Senate President Godswill Akpabio, who raised concerns over the judge’s impartiality in the matter.

During a hearing scheduled for March 25, 2025, the court clerk called the case, only for Mr. Egwuatu to announce his withdrawal.

“The case file will be returned to the Chief Judge for reassignment to another judge,” he informed the court, further extending the delay in Akpoti-Uduaghan’s legal battle.

This withdrawal marks a significant setback for the suspended senator, who was hoping for a swift resolution of the case to shorten the six-month suspension imposed by the Senate.

A tumultuous legal journey for Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan

The recusal of Mr. Egwuatu is the latest in a series of setbacks for Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who has faced significant challenges in her attempt to overturn the Senate’s disciplinary actions.

On March 19, 2025, the Federal High Court had reversed an earlier decision made on March 4, which had temporarily halted the Senate’s disciplinary process against her.

The reversal came after Akpabio’s legal team argued that the court’s initial order lacked clarity and might infringe on the Senate’s legislative powers.

Akpoti-Uduaghan had initially filed the suit following a February 20, 2025, altercation in the Senate, where she had protested her seating arrangement, leading to her referral to the Senate Committee on Ethics.

The committee commenced disciplinary proceedings against her, accusing her of violating Senate rules.

On March 4, the court issued an interim order halting the Senate’s disciplinary action, giving the suspended senator hope of a favorable outcome.

However, this temporary relief was short-lived as subsequent rulings have worked against her case.

Despite the court’s March 4 ruling, the Senate moved forward with suspending her on March 6, citing misconduct.

In response, Akpoti-Uduaghan filed an application for a mandatory injunction and contempt proceedings, accusing Senate officials of violating the court order.

However, her efforts were thwarted by the subsequent reversal of the court’s initial ruling.