Justice Obiora Egwuatu of the Federal High Court in Abuja has recused himself from the lawsuit filed by suspended Kogi Central Senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
The judge’s decision comes in response to a petition from Senate President Godswill Akpabio, questioning his impartiality in the case.
The case, originally scheduled for hearing on Tuesday, took an unexpected turn when Justice Egwuatu announced his withdrawal. He stated that the case would be reassigned to another judge by the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court.
This development follows an earlier ruling by Justice Egwuatu on March 4, in which he issued an interim order halting the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions from proceeding with disciplinary actions against Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan.
The lawmaker had been accused of violating Senate rules, prompting an internal investigation.
In his ruling, the judge had also given the defendants 72 hours to justify why the court should not grant a full injunction preventing further proceedings against her.
He emphasized that any disciplinary action must comply with the 1999 Constitution, the Senate Standing Order 2023, and the Legislative Houses (Powers and Privileges) Act.
Despite the court order, the Senate Committee went ahead with its proceedings and imposed a six-month suspension on Akpoti-Uduaghan. This led to a legal standoff between the lawmaker and the Senate leadership.
Senate President Akpabio’s legal team, led by senior lawyer Kehinde Ogunwumiju (SAN), had argued that the judiciary had no authority to interfere in Senate affairs.
Following their challenge, the court later amended its initial ruling, allowing the Senate to continue its activities while the lawsuit remained pending.
With Justice Egwuatu stepping down from the case, all eyes are now on the Chief Judge to assign a new judge who will determine the next legal steps in the high-profile dispute.
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