- Suspension from Senate – Natasha files contempt charge against Akpabio, ors •As Akpabio says court can’t interfere in Senate affairs
Kogi Central Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has dragged Senate President Godswill Akpabio and others before an Abuja High Court for alleged contempt of court.
Others defendants in the contempt charge, filed under Form 48 at the Federal High Court in Abuja, are the Clerk of the National Assembly and Senator Neda Imasuem, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Code of Conduct.
The Senate handed down six-month suspension on the Kogi Central Senator for what it considered her misdemeanor that allegedly brought the upper chamber of the National Assembly to public opprobrium.
However, Akpoti-Uduaghan contends that her suspension violates a court order issued on March 4, which restrained the defendants from taking such action against her, reports The Nation.
The High Court has in response through a notice signed by its Registrar under Section 72 of the Sheriff and Civil Process Act 2004, warned the defendants of the consequences of defying its directive, adding that their continued disregard for the order could attract imprisonment.
According to Form 48, the defendants “deliberately and contumaciously disregarded” the court’s directive and acted in defiance of its authority.
It was further alleged that an enrolled copy of the interim injunction was duly served on them on March 5.
Justice Obiora Egwuatu had earlier issued the injunction following an ex-parte application by Akpoti-Uduaghan’s legal team, led by senior advocate Michael Numa. The order restrained the Senate Committee from proceeding with its investigation into the senator’s alleged misconduct related to events at the February 20 plenary session, pending a full hearing of the case.
Also, the court directed the defendants to justify why an interlocutory injunction should not be issued against them, preventing any disciplinary action that would infringe upon Akpoti-Uduaghan’s legislative privileges under the Nigerian Constitution, Senate Standing Order 2023, and the Legislative Houses (Powers and Privileges) Act.
It further declared that any action taken while the case remains pending would be null and void.
Justice Egwuatu also permitted Akpoti-Uduaghan to serve court documents on the defendants through substituted means, such as delivering them to the Clerk of the National Assembly, pasting them at the National Assembly premises, or publishing them in two national newspapers.
In response, Senate President Akpabio challenged the court’s jurisdiction, arguing that it has no authority to interfere in Senate matters.
Further hearing on the matter comes up March 25.
