Court Gags Akpabio, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, Others from Speaking on Controversial Senate Suspension Case

The Federal High Court in Abuja has issued a gag order, prohibiting all parties involved in the ongoing legal battle between suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan and Senate President Godswill Akpabio from giving press interviews or making public comments related to the case.

Justice Binta Nyako delivered the order on Friday in response to a complaint from Akpabio’s counsel, Kehinde Ogunwumiju (SAN), who alleged that Akpoti-Uduaghan had embarked on a media tour, discussing details of the pending case on multiple TV stations.

Justice Nyako ruled that neither the parties nor their legal representatives should make public remarks about the proceedings. “There shall be no press interviews by all parties and their lawyers as regards the subject matter of this case,” she warned, adding that any breach would amount to contempt of court.

RELATED STORIES 

Akpabio Breaks Silence: Blasts Senator Natasha’s Shocking Assassination Claim as ‘Deadly Lie’

I’ll Drop the Evidence When the Time Is Right’ —Natasha Fires Back

Akpoti-Uduaghan had earlier filed a lawsuit to halt disciplinary actions against her by the Senate Committee on Ethics and Public Petitions. The court initially granted a temporary order on March 4, preventing the Senate from proceeding with disciplinary steps until the defendants responded.

However, despite the order, the Senate suspended Akpoti-Uduaghan two days later, citing gross misconduct. The decision came after the Senate adopted a report by its Ethics Committee.

The case took another turn when Justice Obiora Egwuatu vacated his earlier order restraining the Senate and subsequently recused himself from the case due to accusations of bias leveled by Akpabio. The case was reassigned to Justice Nyako by Chief Judge John Tsoho.

Further proceedings have been scheduled for May 12.