Justice Egwuatu recuses self from Natasha’s case

Nigeria: Justice Obiora Egwuatu of the Federal High Court has withdrawn from presiding over the case involving Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central District, due to allegations of bias raised by Senate President Godswill Akpabio.

Justice Obiora Egwuatu of the Federal High Court has withdrawn from presiding over the case involving Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central District, due to allegations of bias raised by Senate President Godswill Akpabio. Akpabio, the third defendant in the case, had expressed doubts about the court’s ability to handle the matter fairly.

This development comes after Justice Egwuatu’s earlier ruling, which restrained the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions from conducting disciplinary proceedings against Akpoti-Uduaghan. Despite this, the Senate suspended Akpoti-Uduaghan for six months following a dispute with Akpabio, who she accused of making inappropriate remarks towards her on national TV.

The dispute arose after Senate Chief Whip Mohammed Monguno informed Akpabio that Akpoti-Uduaghan had refused to move to a newly assigned seat following the defection of two senators to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). Monguno, citing Senate Orders 24 and 6, argued that the Senate President had the authority to reassign seats and that senators could only speak from their designated positions. Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan protested under Order 10, claiming her privileges had been breached.

The case file will be returned to the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John Tsoho, for reassignment to another judge. This decision marks a significant development in the ongoing controversy surrounding Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension and the dispute with Senate President Akpabio.

By Taiwo olatinwo/ March 25, 2025