The Federal High Court in Abuja has issued a media blackout order, barring Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, and the Senate from granting press interviews, TV appearances, or making social media posts concerning the ongoing case related to the female lawmaker’s suspension.
The ruling was made by Justice Binta Nyako on Friday, while restraining all parties involved, including their lawyers, from making public comments on the matter until it is resolved.
The case, which concerns Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension over alleged misconduct, was initially presided over by Justice Obiora Egwuatu, who withdrew from the case due to allegations of bias from one of the defendants. The Chief Judge, John Tsoho, reassigned the case to Justice Binta Nyako.
Akpoti-Uduaghan filed a motion ex parte, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/384/2025, suing several parties including the Clerk of the National Assembly, the Senate, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, and Senator Neda Imasuem, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Code of Conduct.
In her suit, she sought an injunction to prevent the Senate from proceeding with the investigation into her alleged misconduct, which stemmed from an incident during a plenary session on February 20, 2025. Despite the ongoing legal process, the Senate moved forward with her suspension, effective March 6, 2025.
During the court hearing, Akpoti-Uduaghan’s counsel, J.S. Okutepa SAN, emphasized the urgency of the case, pointing out that his client was facing a six-month suspension. He urged the court to expedite the matter.
Counsel for the other parties, including Charles Iyoila for the Clerk of the National Assembly, Chikaosolu Ojukwu SAN for the Senate, Kehinde Ogunwumiju SAN for Akpabio, and Umeh Kalu SAN for the Senate Committee chair, all agreed to fast-track proceedings.
However, Ogunwumiju raised concerns that Akpoti-Uduaghan had been giving interviews to media outlets such as BBC and CNN, which he argued could prejudice the case. Okutepa countered, mentioning that a Senator from the South East had also appeared on TV discussing the issue.
Justice Nyako, in her ruling, stressed that there should be no media interviews, social media posts, or TV appearances concerning the case while it remains subjudice. She ordered a “total media blockade” on the matter until a decision is made.
The court adjourned the case to May 12, 2025, for further hearings.
The dispute between Akpoti-Uduaghan and Senate President Akpabio gained public attention after she was asked to change her seat during plenary. On February 28, 2025, she accused Akpabio of making inappropriate advances towards her during a visit to his home in December 2023.
