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Sexual Harassment: Court Stops Senate From Taking Action Against Natasha

ByTitilope Adako

PublishedMarch 5, 2025

The Federal High Court in Abuja has issued an order preventing the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions from taking disciplinary action against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan of Kogi Central.

Justice Obiora Egwuatu granted the order on Tuesday after hearing an ex parte application filed by Akpoti-Uduaghan’s legal team.

According to the enrolled court order obtained by SaharaReporters on Wednesday, the court ruled:

“UPON READING the twenty-five (25) paragraphed Affidavit in support of the Motion Ex-parte and the Affidavit of Urgency, both deposed to by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, Adult, Female, Christian, Nigerian citizen of Kogi Central Senatorial District, and the Written Address, all filed at the Registry of this Court.

“AFTER HEARING Sanusi Musa SAN, M. J. Numa SAN, Y. M. Zakari Esq., B. J. Tabai Esq., Tijanni Jimol Esq., and Miss M. C. Bekee Esq., Counsel for the Applicant, arguing the application and urging the Court to grant the reliefs sought.

“AND THE COURT having delivered its Bench Ruling in open Court, its reasonings and conclusions are as contained in the body of the Bench Ruling. IT IS HEREBY ORDERED AS FOLLOWS:

“1. AN ORDER OF THIS HONOURABLE COURT is made granting leave to the Plaintiff/Applicant to serve the 2nd – 4th Defendants/Respondents with the Originating Summons and all other accompanying processes in this Suit by substituted means, to wit: by serving same through the 1st Defendant (Clerk of the National Assembly) or pasting same on the premises of the National Assembly and publishing same in two national dailies.

“2. AN ORDER OF INTERIM INJUNCTION OF THIS HONOURABLE COURT is made restraining the 2nd Defendant/Defendant’s Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Code of Conduct, headed by the 4th Defendant, from proceeding with the purported investigation against the Plaintiff/Applicant for alleged misconduct, sequel to the events that occurred at the plenary of the 2nd Defendant on the 20th day of February 2025, pursuant to the referral by the 2nd Defendant on the 25th of February 2025, pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice for interlocutory injunction.

“3. AN ORDER OF THIS HONOURABLE COURT is made directing the 1st – 4th Defendants to show cause within 72 hours upon the service of this order on them, why an order of interlocutory injunction should not be granted against them, restraining them from proceeding with the purported investigation against the Plaintiff for alleged misconduct without affording her privileges as stipulated in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (As Amended), the Senate Standing Order 2023, and the Legislative Houses (Powers and Privileges) Act.”

The disciplinary case against Akpoti-Uduaghan followed a clash with Senate President Godswill Akpabio on February 20, which resulted in her being summoned by the committee.

Reports indicate that the altercation arose over a dispute concerning the reassignment of her Senate seat, leading Senator Adeyemi Raphael Adaramodu to propose an investigation into her alleged breach of conduct.

In a letter dated Wednesday, the Clerk to the Committee, Christian N. Onwusonye, informed Akpoti-Uduaghan of a rescheduled public hearing on the matter.

The letter, referenced NASS/S/10/EPP/DSNAU/2, stated that the hearing would now be held at Meeting Room 120, New Senate Building, National Assembly, Abuja.

“Please Distinguished, the rescheduling of the date of the Public Hearing does not invalidate the other contents of the letter earlier sent to you on the same matter as above.

“The Committee regrets any inconvenience the sudden change of date may have caused.

“Accept the assurances of the Committee’s highest esteem, please.”

The court’s ruling has now put the Senate’s disciplinary proceedings on hold pending further legal arguments.

Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, known for her advocacy for transparency and accountability, has yet to issue a statement regarding the court’s decision.

Meanwhile, the Senate Committee has acknowledged the inconvenience caused by the rescheduled hearing but insists the matter remains within its jurisdiction.

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.