Justice Obiora Egwuatu of the Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday withdrew from presiding over the lawsuit filed by suspended Kogi Central Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
The judge’s decision came in response to a petition filed by Senate President Godswill Akpabio challenging his impartiality in the matter.
The case, which was originally scheduled for hearing, took an unexpected turn when Justice Egwuatu announced his recusal during the court session.
In a brief ruling, the judge stated that the case file would be returned to the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court for reassignment to another judge. He did not elaborate further on the contents of Akpabio’s petition that led to this decision.
This development follows a series of legal actions related to the senator’s suspension.
On March 4, Justice Egwuatu had issued an interim order stopping the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions from continuing with disciplinary proceedings against Akpoti-Uduaghan.
The judge had also given defendants 72 hours to show cause why an interlocutory injunction should not be granted to halt the probe, citing alleged violations of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), the Senate Standing Order 2023, and the Legislative Houses (Powers and Privileges) Act.
The court had additionally approved alternative service methods for court documents, including delivery to the Clerk of the National Assembly, posting on National Assembly premises, and publication in two national newspapers. Despite these court orders, the Senate Committee proceeded with its sitting and imposed a six-month suspension on the senator. The court later amended its interim order by vacating the aspect that restricted Senate activities during the pendency of the lawsuit.
Senate President Akpabio, through his legal team led by Senior Advocate of Nigeria Kehinde Ogunwumiju, had challenged the court’s jurisdiction in the matter. Ogunwumiju argued that the Senate maintains constitutional immunity from judicial interference in its internal affairs, a position that ultimately led to the judge’s recusal.
