A judge of the Federal High Court in Abuja, Obiora Egwuatu, recused himself on Tuesday from hearing a suit filed by Kogi Central Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who is challenging her suspension by the Senate.
Mr. Egwuatu’s decision follows a petition from Senate President Godswill Akpabio, questioning his impartiality. When the case was called, the judge announced his withdrawal and stated that the case file would be sent to the Chief Judge for reassignment.
This latest development further delays Mrs. Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suit, which she hoped would be resolved swiftly to potentially shorten her six-month suspension imposed by the Senate. It comes just days after the judge reversed his 4 March ruling that had initially halted the Senate’s disciplinary process against her.
Even if reassigned promptly, the suit faces potential indefinite delays, as the Court of Appeal is set to hear Mr. Akpabio’s application to stay proceedings at the Federal High Court.
Background
On 4 March, Mr. Egwuatu issued an interim order stopping the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions from taking disciplinary action against Mrs. Akpoti-Uduaghan for allegedly violating Senate rules. The order came before the committee reached a decision.
The judge directed the Senate to halt proceedings until the substantive suit was determined and gave the defendants 72 hours to justify why an interlocutory injunction should not be granted. He also allowed substituted service of court documents via the National Assembly Clerk and publication in two national newspapers.
Akpabio’s Appeal
Senate President Akpabio has since challenged the case. On 20 March, he filed an application at the Court of Appeal in Abuja, seeking to halt the Federal High Court’s proceedings and to appeal an interlocutory ruling in the case.
