Justice Obiora Egwuatu of the Federal High Court in Abuja has decided to step down from handling the case involving suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan. This decision came after Senate President Godswill Akpabio filed a petition questioning the judge’s impartiality.
Case Gets Reassigned to Another Judge
The case was scheduled for hearing, but when it was called up in court, Justice Egwuatu announced he would no longer oversee it. He explained that the case file would be returned to the Chief Judge, who would assign it to a new judge.
Background of the Case
On March 4, Justice Egwuatu had issued an interim order preventing the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions from taking disciplinary action against Akpoti-Uduaghan, who was accused of violating Senate rules. The judge ordered that the disciplinary process should be paused until the case was resolved and gave the defendants 72 hours to explain why the investigation should proceed without following proper procedures.
Controversy Continues
Despite the ruling, the Senate Committee went ahead with its meeting and suspended Akpoti-Uduaghan for six months. Later, the judge amended his order, allowing the Senate to proceed with actions related to the case.
Akpabio’s legal team, led by Kehinde Ogunwumiju, has raised concerns about the court’s authority to interfere in Senate matters.
Justice Obiora Egwuatu of the Federal High Court in Abuja has decided to step down from handling the case involving suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan. This decision came after Senate President Godswill Akpabio filed a petition questioning the judge’s impartiality.
Case Gets Reassigned to Another Judge
The case was scheduled for hearing, but when it was called up in court, Justice Egwuatu announced he would no longer oversee it. He explained that the case file would be returned to the Chief Judge, who would assign it to a new judge.
Background of the Case
On March 4, Justice Egwuatu had issued an interim order preventing the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions from taking disciplinary action against Akpoti-Uduaghan, who was accused of violating Senate rules. The judge ordered that the disciplinary process should be paused until the case was resolved and gave the defendants 72 hours to explain why the investigation should proceed without following proper procedures.
Controversy Continues
Despite the ruling, the Senate Committee went ahead with its meeting and suspended Akpoti-Uduaghan for six months. Later, the judge amended his order, allowing the Senate to proceed with actions related to the case.
Akpabio’s legal team, led by Kehinde Ogunwumiju, has raised concerns about the court’s authority to interfere in Senate matters.