A judge in Nigeria has stepped down from a case involving suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, following a petition from Senate President Godswill Akpabio questioning his impartiality.
Justice Obiora Egwuatu of the Federal High Court in Abuja announced his decision on Tuesday, stating he would no longer handle the case. He will now return the case file to the Chief Judge for reassignment.
The dispute centres on disciplinary actions taken against Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan by the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions, which accused her of breaching Senate rules.
On March 4th, Justice Egwuatu had issued an interim order halting the committee’s proceedings pending the outcome of the court case. He also directed the defendants to explain why the court should not prevent them from investigating the senator.
Despite this initial court order, the Senate committee proceeded with its meeting and subsequently suspended Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan for six months.
Justice Egwuatu later amended his order, removing the clause that prevented the Senate from taking any action during the ongoing case.
Senate President Akpabio’s legal team, led by Kehinde Ogunwumiju, had challenged the court’s jurisdiction to intervene in the internal affairs of the Senate.
The case has drawn attention to the complex relationship between Nigeria’s judiciary and legislature, and the delicate balance of power between the two arms of government.
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