Justice Obiora Egwuatu of the Federal High Court in Abuja has withdrawn from presiding over a case filed by suspended Kogi Central Senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
The judge recused himself on Tuesday, citing a petition from Senate President Godswill Akpabio, which challenged his impartiality in the matter.
The case, originally set for hearing, was called up, but Justice Egwuatu announced in a brief ruling that he would return the case file to the Chief Judge for reassignment.
Earlier, on March 4, Justice Egwuatu had issued an interim order preventing the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions from proceeding with disciplinary actions against Akpoti-Uduaghan over alleged misconduct.
He directed that the process be halted until the case was resolved.
Additionally, he instructed the defendants to justify within 72 hours why an injunction should not be granted to stop the probe.
Despite the court’s directive, the Senate Committee proceeded with its hearings and ultimately imposed a six-month suspension on Akpoti-Uduaghan.
Later, Justice Egwuatu amended his order, lifting the restriction that initially barred the Senate from taking any action while the case was ongoing.
Senate President Akpabio’s legal team, led by Kehinde Ogunwumiju (SAN), had previously questioned the court’s authority to intervene in legislative affairs, a move that likely influenced the judge’s decision to step aside.