A Federal High Court in Abuja has issued a restraining order against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, and other parties involved in a pending lawsuit, barring them from granting press interviews or livestreaming court proceedings related to the case before the court.
The ruling, made by Justice Binta Fatima Nyako on Friday, April 4, 2025, comes after Akpabio’s lawyer, Kehinde Ogunwumiju (SAN), complained that Natasha had been discussing the case on various media outlets, including the BBC and CNN.
The lawsuit in question revolves around Natasha’s challenge to her six-month suspension by the Senate, which she claims was unfair. The court has scheduled the hearing for May 12, 2025.
This development is the latest in a series of events surrounding Natasha’s suspension, which has been marred by controversy and allegations of unfair treatment.
Counsel to Natasha, Jibril Okutepa (SAN) said parties have filed and exchanged all relevant documents, except one, and prayed the court to grant a consolidated hearing of all pending applications along with the substantive suit.
He noted that time was of the essence because his client’s suspicion was for a limited period. He added that his client was desirous of expeditious determination of the case.
Counsel to the Clerk of the National Assembly, Charles Iyoila and Paul Daudu, who represented the Senate, did not object to Okutepa’s application that the substantive case should be heard with the objections raised by the defendants.
Ogunwumiju and Umeh Kalu (SAN), who represented Senator Neda Imasuem – Chairman, Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Code of Conduct – objected to Okutepa’s application.
Justice Nyako ruled and held in favour of Okutepa, saying the court would hear all pending applications, including preliminary objections along with the substantive suit.
She subsequently adjourned till May 12 for a hearing.
Natasha is, by the suit, challenging the decision of the Senate to suspend her for six months over alleged misconduct.
The plaintiff is contending, among others, that she was not accorded fair hearing before the Senate took the decision to suspend her.
