Justice Obiora Egwuatu of the Federal High Court in Abuja has recused himself from a case involving suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan following a petition from Senate President Godswill Akpabio questioning his impartiality.
During the court session on Tuesday, Justice Egwuatu announced that he would no longer preside over the case, stating that he would return the case file to the Chief Judge for reassignment.
The judge had previously issued an interim order on March 4, restraining the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions from proceeding with disciplinary actions against Akpoti-Uduaghan, who was accused of violating Senate rules. He ruled that the disciplinary process should be halted until the case was decided and gave the defendants 72 hours to justify their actions.
Despite the court’s directive, the Senate Committee proceeded with its investigation and suspended Akpoti-Uduaghan for six months. Justice Egwuatu later amended his order, removing the restriction on the Senate’s ability to take further action while the case was ongoing.
Meanwhile, Akpabio’s legal team, led by Kehinde Ogunwumiju, has argued that the court lacks the authority to interfere in Senate affairs. The case will now be reassigned to a new judge for further proceedings.