The Federal High Court in Abuja has prohibited all parties involved in the lawsuit filed by suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan against Senate President Godswill Akpabio and three others from granting press interviews or making public comments regarding the case.
Justice Binta Nyako issued the order on Friday following a complaint from Akpabio’s lawyer, Kehinde Ogunwumiju (SAN), who accused Akpoti-Uduaghan of conducting a media campaign by giving interviews about the ongoing case, which is still pending in court.
In her ruling, Justice Nyako stated that no party or their counsel should comment publicly on the case, particularly through press interviews or media streaming. She warned that any violation of this order would be considered contempt of court.
Akpoti-Uduaghan had filed a suit seeking to prevent the Senate Committee on Ethics and Public Petitions from initiating disciplinary proceedings against her. On March 4, the judge issued an order restraining the Senate from proceeding with the disciplinary actions after an ex parte application by Akpoti-Uduaghan’s counsel.
The judge further directed the defendants to show cause within 72 hours why an interlocutory injunction should not be issued against them.
Two days later, the Senate suspended the Kogi senator for six months, citing alleged gross misconduct, following the Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions’ report.
On March 19, Judge Obiora Egwuatu vacated the earlier order restraining the suspension. At a March 25 court session, Egwuatu announced his decision to recuse himself from the case due to an allegation of bias raised by Akpabio. The case was subsequently reassigned to Justice John Tsoho, the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, and later transferred to Justice Nyako.
The court has adjourned the case for further proceedings on May 12.
