A Federal High Court in Abuja has temporarily halted the Senate Committee on Ethics from proceeding with its inquiry into Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s actions.
The court order effectively suspends the committee’s planned deliberations.
Justice Obiora Egwuatu issued the interim ruling on Tuesday after considering an ex parte motion submitted by Akpoti-Uduaghan’s legal team.
The senator represents Kogi Central in the National Assembly.
The committee had been preparing to convene, with the possibility of imposing an indefinite suspension on Akpoti-Uduaghan.
However, the court’s directive has put all proceedings on hold until further judicial review.
The controversy dates back to February 20, 2025, when, during a Senate session, Akpoti-Uduaghan discovered that her designated seat had been reassigned without prior notification.
Viewing this as an attempt to sideline her and suppress her contributions, she refused to comply with the new seating arrangement.
Her defiance led to a heated confrontation with Senate President Godswill Akpabio, who ordered the sergeant-at-arms to enforce the change.
In response, the Senate voted unanimously to refer her case to the Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions for disciplinary review.
The committee, led by Senator Neda Imaseun, was given two weeks to submit its findings.
Meanwhile, Akpoti-Uduaghan has taken legal action, filing a N100 billion defamation lawsuit against Senate President Akpabio and his aide, Mfon Patrick.
The lawsuit alleges that a Facebook post authored by Patrick, allegedly at Akpabio’s direction, contained defamatory statements about her legislative abilities and personal appearance.
Akpoti-Uduaghan is seeking financial damages and a public apology, arguing that the publication damaged her reputation and exposed her to public ridicule.