A Federal High Court in Abuja has imposed restrictions on all parties involved in the ongoing legal battle between suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan and Senate President Godswill Akpabio, barring them from making public statements regarding the case.
Justice Binta Nyako issued the directive on Friday following concerns raised by Akpabio’s legal representative, Kehinde Ogunwumiju (SAN). He informed the court that Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan had been granting media interviews and making public statements about the case, despite the matter still being under judicial consideration.
In response, Justice Nyako ordered that neither the parties involved nor their legal representatives should comment on the case in the media. She also prohibited the live streaming of court proceedings on social media platforms.
The lawsuit, initiated by Akpoti-Uduaghan, challenges the Senate’s disciplinary actions against her and seeks to halt an ongoing investigation by the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions. The probe was launched following allegations of misconduct linked to her actions during a Senate plenary session on February 20, 2025.
Initially, Justice Obiora Egwuatu was presiding over the case. However, on March 25, 2025, he recused himself after Senate President Akpabio—one of the defendants—raised concerns over potential bias. Justice Egwuatu noted that the perception of judicial impartiality is crucial to justice and chose to step aside.
Following his withdrawal, the case was reassigned to Justice Nyako, who now oversees the proceedings.
