Obiora Egwuatu, a judge at the Federal High Court in Abuja, has withdrawn from the case filed by “Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan”, senator representing Kogi Central
Egwuatu, on Tuesday, stated that his decision was based on an allegation of bias against him by “Senate President Godswill Akpabio”.
The suit was initiated by “Akpoti-Uduaghan” to prevent the Senate Committee on Ethics and Public Petitions from carrying out disciplinary proceedings against her.
On March 4, the judge had issued an order restraining the Senate from initiating disciplinary actions against “Akpoti-Uduaghan”, following an ex parte application submitted by her legal representatives.
Case to Be Reassigned
After hearing from the legal teams of the involved parties, “Egwuatu” announced his withdrawal from the case.
He directed that the case file be forwarded to “John Tsoho, the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court”, for reassignment.
The defendants in the case include:
- The Clerk of the National Assembly
- The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Ethics
Previously, the judge ruled that the defendants had 72 hours to show cause why an interlocutory injunction should not be granted against them.
However, 48 hours later, the Senate suspended “Akpoti-Uduaghan” for six months after adopting the committee’s report.
Additionally, the Senate ordered that:
- She must return all Senate properties in her possession to “The Clerk of the National Assembly” for the duration of her suspension.
On March 19, “Egwuatu” overturned his March 4 order, which had earlier prevented the Senate from suspending “Akpoti-Uduaghan”.
