A Federal High Court in Abuja has issued a restraining order barring all parties involved in the ongoing legal tussle between Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan and Senate President Godswill Akpabio from speaking to the press or streaming court proceedings on social media.
Justice Binta Nyako, who is now presiding over the matter, gave the order on Friday following a complaint raised by Kehinde Ogunwumiju, counsel to Akpabio, alleging that Akpoti-Uduaghan had been engaging with television stations to discuss the details of the ongoing suit.
In a brief but firm ruling, Justice Nyako directed that both parties and their legal representatives must desist from granting media interviews concerning the case. She also placed a ban on the online streaming of court proceedings, citing the need to preserve the sanctity of the judicial process.
The case stems from a suit filed by Akpoti-Uduaghan, seeking to halt disciplinary proceedings initiated against her by the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions. On March 4, Justice Obiora Egwuatu, who initially presided over the case, issued an interim order restraining the Senate from proceeding with disciplinary actions against the Kogi senator.
However, just two days later, the Senate adopted the committee’s report and suspended Akpoti-Uduaghan for six months over allegations of gross misconduct.
In a twist, Justice Egwuatu vacated his earlier order on March 19 and subsequently recused himself from the case on March 25 after Akpabio alleged bias. The case was reassigned to Justice Nyako by Chief Judge John Tsoho.
The legal face-off continues to draw national attention as tensions escalate between the legislative arm and the embattled senator.
