The legal battle between Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan and the Senate leadership took another turn as the Federal High Court in Abuja adjourned her suit to March 25, 2025. This comes amid a heated confrontation between the Kogi Central Senator and Senate President Godswill Akpabio, following her controversial six-month suspension.
The court, presided over by Justice James Omotosho, confirmed that all parties had been duly served with court documents, paving the way for a full hearing. The adjournment, according to legal experts, allows for a harmonization of legal arguments before the next sitting.
Senator Natasha, a vocal critic of the Akpabio-led Senate, was controversially suspended despite a court order restraining the Senate Committee on Ethics and Privileges from investigating her. The committee, however, proceeded with its probe and submitted a report recommending her suspension, which the Senate leadership swiftly enforced.
The crisis erupted after Natasha raised concerns about the mismanagement of Senate affairs under Akpabio, accusing him of running the upper chamber like a personal empire. She particularly questioned the allocation of resources and the alleged lopsided distribution of constituency projects, an issue that has fueled internal tensions within the National Assembly.
Observers believe Natasha’s suspension is a politically motivated attempt to silence her, as she remains one of the few lawmakers openly challenging Akpabio’s style of leadership. Her legal team argues that the suspension is illegal and an affront to democracy, warning that the matter could escalate if not addressed properly.
Meanwhile, Senate President Akpabio has maintained that the decision to suspend Natasha was procedural, denying any political witch-hunt. However, the backlash from civil society groups, opposition lawmakers, and even some ruling party members suggests that the controversy is far from over.
As the legal battle drags on, many Nigerians are closely watching whether the judiciary will uphold Natasha’s plea for justice or if the Senate will continue to assert its authority unchecked. March 25, 2025, will be a crucial day in this unfolding political drama.