BREAKING: Court bars Sen. Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, Others from Public Comment on suspension case

The Federal High Court in Abuja, presided over by Justice Binta Nyako, has issued an order restraining all parties involved in the legal dispute over the suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan from making public statements or granting media interviews about the case.

The case, recently reassigned to Justice Nyako following the recusal of Justice Egwuatu, was mentioned in court today, with legal teams from both sides present.

Chief J.S. Okutepa, SAN, represented Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, while Umeh Kalu, SAN, Kehinde Ogunwumiju, SAN, Chikaosolu Ojukwu, SAN, and Paul Daudu, SAN, represented the Senate and its committee.

Justice Nyako acknowledged multiple applications, including preliminary objections challenging the originating summons, and directed all counsel to submit a list of filed processes to the Court Registrar.

The court also ruled that all preliminary objections and the main suit would be consolidated and heard together on the next hearing date.

The judge stressed that, if necessary, oral testimony might be required to resolve conflicting affidavit evidence but clarified that the issue of jurisdiction would be decided before addressing the substantive claims.

In a significant move, the court formally barred Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, her legal representatives, the 10th National Assembly members, and media analysts from discussing the case on any platform, including traditional and social media. This follows recent public remarks by Akpoti-Uduaghan at the Inter-Parliamentary Union meeting in New York and interviews with major media outlets.

The case has been adjourned to May 12, 2025, for the hearing of all interlocutory applications and the substantive suit, with a date for judgment to be scheduled afterward.