Judge washes off hands from Natasha’s case

A Federal High Court Judge, Justice Obiora Egwuatu, sitting in Abuja has washed off his hands from a public interest lawsuit filed by suspended Kogi Central Senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.

The judge said he withdrew from the case following a petition from Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, challenging the judge’s impartiality.

The case was scheduled for hearing on Tuesday, but when called, Justice Egwuatu announced his withdrawal in a brief ruling.

He stated that the case file would be returned to the Chief Judge for reassignment.
Earlier, on March 4, Justice Egwuatu had issued an interim order halting the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions from proceeding with disciplinary actions against Akpoti-Uduaghan.

It would be recalled that the senator was accused of violating legislative rules.

The judge directed that the process be paused until the court resolved the suit.

He also ordered the defendants to justify within 72 hours why the court should not grant an injunction preventing them from probing Akpoti-Uduaghan without adhering to constitutional and legislative guidelines.

Additionally, he permitted the senator to serve court documents on the defendants via substituted means, including publication in national newspapers.

Despite the court’s order, the Senate Committee proceeded with its investigation and suspended Akpoti-Uduaghan for six months.

Following an appeal from the defendants, Justice Egwuatu later modified his interim order, removing the restriction on the Senate’s activities while the case was ongoing.
Senate President Akpabio’s legal team, led by Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Kehinde Ogunwumiju, had questioned the court’s authority to intervene in Senate affairs.