Drama in court as Judge steps down from Natasha’s case over Akpabio’s petition

Abuja Federal High Court Judge, Justice Obiora Egwuatu, has withdrawn himself from a case involving suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduagha.

The judge made the decision on Tuesday, March 25, after Senate President Godswill Akpabio submitted a petition questioning his impartiality.

The case was set for hearing, but when it was called, Justice Egwuatu announced that he would no longer preside over it. 

He stated that he would return the case file to the Chief Judge for reassignment. 

Earlier, on March 4, Justice Egwuatu had issued an interim order restraining the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions from proceeding with disciplinary actions against Akpoti-Uduaghan.

The senator was accused of violating Senate rules, but the judge ruled that any disciplinary action should be put on hold until the case was resolved. 

The court had also ordered the defendants to provide justification within 72 hours for why the investigation against Akpoti-Uduaghan should continue without adherence to constitutional provisions, the Senate Standing Order 2023, and the Legislative Houses (Powers and Privileges) Act. 

Despite the ruling, the Senate Committee went ahead with its proceedings and suspended the senator for six months. 

Justice Egwuatu later modified his initial order, removing the restriction that prevented the Senate from taking action while the case was ongoing. 

Meanwhile, Akpabio’s legal team, led by Kehinde Ogunwumiju, has questioned the court’s authority to interfere in Senate affairs, further complicating the legal battle surrounding the senator’s suspension. 

With Justice Egwuatu stepping down, the case now awaits reassignment to another judge.