Court Blocks Senate Panel from Disciplining Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan
A Federal High Court in Abuja has put a stop to the disciplinary proceedings against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central. The ruling, issued on Monday, restrains the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions from taking any further action against her.
The controversy began after a heated exchange between Senator Natasha and Senate President Godswill Akpabio during a plenary session on February 20, 2025. Following the incident, she was summoned by the Senate’s disciplinary panel.
In response, she sought legal intervention, arguing that the proceedings against her were unjust. The court, after reviewing the case, issued an interim injunction preventing the Senate committee from moving forward with the investigation.
According to the ruling, the court granted permission for Senator Natasha to serve legal documents to the involved parties through the Clerk of the National Assembly or by publicizing them in two national newspapers.
Furthermore, the court directed the Senate and its committee to justify within 72 hours why the injunction should not be upheld, emphasizing that any disciplinary action must align with constitutional provisions, the Senate’s Standing Orders, and legislative privileges.
This ruling marks a significant moment in the ongoing dispute, temporarily shielding the senator from further disciplinary action while the case unfolds in court.
