Akpabio Challenges Court’s Jurisdiction to Hear Natasha’s Case

Senate President Godswill Akpabio has questioned the jurisdiction of a Federal High Court in Abuja to hear the case filed by suspended Kogi Central Senatorial District lawmaker, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.

Akpabio’s legal team, led by Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Kehinde Ogunwumiju, argued that the court lacked the authority to interfere in Senate affairs.

During the resumed hearing, the defence maintained that Akpoti-Uduaghan had not properly served them with court documents, which prevented them from filing necessary responses to challenge the suit’s competence.

Apart from Akpabio, other defendants in the case include the Clerk of the National Assembly, the Senate, and the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions.

In response, the plaintiff’s lawyer, Michael Numa (SAN), insisted that all parties had been duly served, referring to affidavits of service in the court’s records.

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After reviewing the affidavits, Justice Obiora Egwuatu confirmed that the defendants had indeed been served.

Following this, Akpabio’s counsel requested a short adjournment to allow all parties to harmonise their submissions.

With the agreement of all lawyers, Justice Egwuatu adjourned the case to March 25 and instructed the parties to file and exchange all necessary documents before the next hearing.

The court had earlier, on March 4, issued an interim order halting the Senate Committee’s disciplinary proceedings against Akpoti-Uduaghan.

It ruled that the process must be paused pending the determination of the suit and gave the defendants 72 hours to explain why an order of interlocutory injunction should not be granted to stop them from investigating Akpoti-Uduaghan for alleged misconduct without following the due process outlined in the 1999 Constitution, the Senate Standing Order 2023, and the Legislative Houses (Powers and Privileges) Act.

Additionally, Justice Egwuatu permitted the plaintiff to serve the originating summons and other legal documents on the defendants through substituted means—either by delivering them to the Clerk of the National Assembly, pasting them at the National Assembly premises, or publishing them in two national newspapers.

The interim orders were granted based on an ex-parte application and an affidavit of urgency filed by Akpoti-Uduaghan.

Despite the court’s directives, the Senate Committee proceeded with its hearing and imposed a six-month suspension on the plaintiff.

Titilope Adako

Titilope Adako is a talented and intrepid journalist, dedicated to shedding light on the untold stories of Osun State and Nigeria. Through incisive reporting, she tackles a broad spectrum of topics, from politics and social justice to culture and entertainment, with a commitment to accuracy, empathy, and inspiring positive change.

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