The Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday adjourned the suit filed by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, to March 25, 2025.
The adjournment followed a submission by the respondents, who claimed they had not been served with the necessary court documents.
Akpoti-Uduaghan had approached the court seeking an order restraining the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions from investigating her over alleged misconduct.
Earlier, on March 5, 2025, Justice Obiora Egwuatu issued an interim injunction restraining the committee from proceeding with the probe. The judge also directed the National Assembly, the Senate, and the committee to show cause within 72 hours why an interlocutory injunction should not be granted to halt the investigation.
Additionally, the court permitted Akpoti-Uduaghan to serve the originating summons and other legal documents on the defendants through substituted means, including pasting the documents at the National Assembly premises or publishing them in two national newspapers.
Despite the court order, the Senate proceeded on March 6 to suspend the senator for six months after considering the committees report.
At the resumed hearing on Monday, counsel for the first, second, and third defendants argued that they had not been properly served, prompting an adjournment request. However, Akpoti-Uduaghan’s counsel, Michael Numa (SAN), maintained that all parties had been served, citing affidavits of service.
After reviewing the affidavits, Justice Egwuatu confirmed that the defendants had been duly served. However, following a request by Senate President Kehinde Ogunwumiju’s counsel for time to harmonize legal processes, the court granted the adjournment.
Justice Egwuatu ordered that all relevant documents be served on the parties before the next hearing on March 25, 2025.
