A federal high court in Abuja has adjourned a suit filed by Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, senator representing Kogi Central against senate to March 25.
Gatekeepers News reports that Natasha had sought that the court issue an order restraining senate committee on ethics and privileges from investigating her.
On March 5, the court issued an order ex-parte restraining the committee from conducting disciplinary proceedings against her.
The senate however didn’t oblige to the court’s order and proceeded to suspend Natasha for six months for allegedly violating its rules.
At the court session on Monday, counsel for the first, second, and third defendants told the court that they had not been served with processes.
Michael Numa, counsel to Akpoti-Uduaghan on the other hand, said all parties had been served, adding that affidavits of service were before the court.
After going through the file, Obiora Egwatu, the presiding judge confirmed that all processes have been served on all defendants.
Kehinde Ogunwumiju, counsel to the third defendant who is the senate president, prayed the court for an adjournment for all processes to be harmonised.
Other lawyers aligned with Ogunwumiju’s request for an adjournment, saying it would facilitate an accelerated hearing at the next adjourned date.
Egwatu therefore adjourned the matter to March 25 and ordered that all the relevant processes should be served on parties before the date.
Speaking to journalists after court proceedings, Peter Nwaebonyi, deputy chief whip, said it is strange for the court to interfere in the affairs of the senate.
He added that the Senate only answered the call of the court for “being a responsible and law-abiding institution.”
