The Federal High Court in Abuja has set aside its previous order that nullified any actions taken by the Senate while Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s lawsuit challenging her suspension was pending.
Justice Obiora Egwuatu issued the ruling on Wednesday, March 19, 2025.
Akpoti-Uduaghan had filed an ex parte motion (FHC/ABJ/CS/384/2025), naming the Clerk of the National Assembly, the Senate, Senate President, and Senator Neda Imasuem—Chairman of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Code of Conduct—as defendants.
On March 4, 2025, Justice Egwuatu granted her motion, barring the defendants from taking further action against her while the case was ongoing.
However, in subsequent proceedings, he directed the defendants to present their defense.
During Wednesday’s hearing, the Senate’s counsel, Chikaosolu Ojukwu (SAN), adopted a motion filed on March 17, seeking to discharge or stay the effect of the court’s March 4 order.
He argued that the court had earlier ruled that any action taken during the pendency of the suit was null and void.
In response, Justice Egwuatu ruled that setting aside the nullification order would not prejudice Akpoti-Uduaghan’s case. However, he refused to overturn the proceedings of March 4, as that was not explicitly requested by the defense.
The court has scheduled the hearing of all applications for March 25, 2025.
