Natasha Storms Court To Challenge Her Suspension As Senator

Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan appeared before a Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday for a hearing concerning her lawsuit challenging her suspension by the Senate, which was based on allegations of misconduct.

The hearing also addressed claims of bias from one of the parties involved.

In her motion, Akpoti-Uduaghan had named the National Assembly, the Senate, the Senate President Godswill Akpabio, and Senator Neda Imasuem, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Code of Conduct, as defendants.

During the previous court session, which took place on Monday and was presided over by Justice Binta Nyako (following the withdrawal of Justice Obiorah Egwuatu), Akpoti-Uduaghan’s counsel, Jibrin Okutekpa (SAN), informed the court that all necessary documents had been filed.

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Counsel for the Senate, Paul Daudu (SAN), and for the Senate President, Ekwo Ejembi, also stated that they had submitted their documents but brought to the court’s attention a motion alleging disobedience of a court order by the plaintiff.

Both senior lawyers representing the second and third defendants claimed that Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan had disobeyed a court order by posting a satirical apology letter to the Senate President on her Facebook page on March 27, which was also published in some national newspapers.

Plaintiff’s counsel, Michael Numan (SAN), acknowledged receipt of the motion and reminded the court of a previously filed motion alleging disobedience of a court order by all the defendants.

He argued that the statement attributed to the plaintiff was not connected to her and had no bearing on the case.

Eko Ejembi Eko, representing Akpabio, stated that he had filed a motion on May 5, asserting that the plaintiff’s Facebook post directly mocked the court’s order.

Meanwhile, in her counter-affidavit, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan accused the Senate President of attempting to suppress her right to free speech.

She maintained that her recent satirical letter to the Senate President did not violate the court order that barred parties before the court from speaking with the media.

The suspended senator clarified that while her widely circulated letter addressed her sexual harassment allegations against the Senate President, the matter before the court concerned her alleged unlawful suspension from the Senate.