Natasha vs Senate: Akpabio’s Accusation of Bias Forces Judge to Withdraw from Case

Justice Obiora Egwuatu of the Federal High Court, Abuja, has withdrawn from the case filed by the suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan against the leadership of the senate.

Justice Egwuatu, recused himself from the matter on Tuesday after lawyers to the parties in the suit announced their appearances.

He said he was stepping down from the matter because of the petition written by Senate President Godswilll Akpabio, alleging he was biased.

The presiding judge said he would will return the case file to the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John Tsoho, so the matter could be reassigned to another judge.

Justice Egwuatu had on March 4, given an an interim order that stopping  the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions from going ahead with the disciplinary proceedings started against t Akpoti-Uduaghan who was alleged to have broken senate rules.

The judge gave  the senate leadership  72 hours to show cause why it should not issue an order of interlocutory injunction to stop them from probing the plaintiff for alleged misconduct, without affording her the privileges stipulated in the 1999 Constitution, as amended, the Senate Standing Order 2023, and the Legislative Houses (Powers and Privileges) Act.

But the Senate Committee still went ahead to hold its sitting where it recommended Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan for six months suspension.

However, the judge later amended the interim order by vacating the aspect that stopped  the Senate from from taking any action pending the outcome of the suit.