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NATASHA IN COURT CHALLENGING HER SUSPENSION
Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, senator representing Kogi central, was at the federal high court in Abuja over the suit challenging her suspension.
In March, Akpoti-Uduaghan filed a suit to stop the senate committee on ethics and public petitions from instituting disciplinary proceedings against her.
On March 4, Obiora Egwuatu, the judge, issued an order an order restraining the senate from commencing disciplinary proceedings against Akpoti-Uduaghan following an ex parte application filed by counsels to the senator.
The judge ruled that the defendants should come and show cause within 72 hours, upon the service of the order, why an interlocutory injunction should not be issued against them.
Two days after the judgment, the senate suspended the Kogi senator for six months over alleged gross misconduct.
The decision followed the adoption of the report by the committee on ethics, privileges and public petitions.
On March 19, Egwuatu vacated his March 4 order restraining the senate from suspending the Kogi senator.
At the resumed court session on March 25, Egwuatu announced his decision to recuse himself from the case after taking the appearance of lawyers for the parties in the suit.
Egwuatu disclosed that his decision was because of an allegation of bias against him by Akpabio.
He ordered that the case file be transferred to John Tsoho, the chief judge of the federal high court, for reassignment. The case was then reassigned to Binta Nyako.
On Monday, Nyako fixed Tuesday for the hearing of the contempt claim filed by the senate president against Akpoti-Uduaghan.
Akpabio had alleged that the Kogi senator disobeyed the court order by posting a satirical apology on social media.
The court is also expected to hear the contempt claim filed by the Kogi senator against the senate president.
