By Ghazali Ibrahim 
The Federal High Court in Abuja has intervened in the dispute between Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan and the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions. The court has issued an order restraining the committee from proceeding with disciplinary actions against Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central.
The ruling, delivered by Justice Obiora Egwuatu, follows an ex parte application filed by Akpoti-Uduaghan’s legal team. The court’s order also grants leave to Akpoti-Uduaghan to serve the committee with originating summons and other processes by substituted means, such as publishing in national dailies.
The disciplinary proceedings against Akpoti-Uduaghan stemmed from an altercation with Senate President Godswill Akpabio on February 20, which led to her being summoned by the committee. The incident reportedly involved a dispute over the reallocation of her seat in the Senate chamber.
Akpoti-Uduaghan, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has been a vocal advocate for her constituents and has been involved in several high-profile disputes with her colleagues. Her legal team argued that the committee’s actions were unconstitutional and violated her privileges as a senator.
The court’s order is a temporary reprieve for Akpoti-Uduaghan, but the matter is far from resolved.
The committee has been directed to show cause within 72 hours why an interlocutory injunction should not be granted against them.
Meanwhile, in a letter dated Wednesday, the Clerk to the Committee, Christian N. Onwusonye, had informed Akpoti-Uduaghan of a rescheduled public hearing to address the matter.
The letter, referenced NASS/S/10/EPP/DSNAU/2, stated that the hearing would take place at Meeting Room 120 in the New Senate Building, National Assembly, Abuja.
It also emphasised that the rescheduling did not invalidate the contents of the earlier invitation.
“Please Distinguished, the rescheduling of the date of the Public Hearing does not invalidate the other contents of the letter earlier sent to you on the same matter as above.
“The Committee regrets any inconvenience the sudden change of date may have caused. “Accept the assurances of the Committee’s highest esteem, please.”
However, the court’s intervention has temporarily halted the proceedings, pending further legal deliberations.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, a vocal advocate for transparency and good governance, has yet to publicly comment on the court’s decision.
Meanwhile, the Senate Committee has expressed regret over any inconvenience caused by the rescheduling of the hearing but maintains that the matter remains within its jurisdiction.
