Justice Obiora Egwuatu of the Federal High Court in Abuja has recused himself from hearing the case filed by suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan against the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, and others, seeking to stop her investigation by the Senate over alleged misconduct.
The judge made the announcement during Tuesday’s proceedings, citing allegations of bias raised by one of the defendants. Justice Egwuatu explained that it would not be in the interest of justice for him to continue presiding over the case after such allegations were made.
He stated, “Justice is rooted in confidence in the court. Once a litigant expresses his belief that there is bias or likelihood of bias on the part of the judge, it will not be in the interest of justice for the judge to continue.” He added that one of the defendants had expressed this belief in writing, leading to his decision to recuse himself from the matter.
The case, which concerns the investigation of Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan by the Senate, will now be referred to the Chief Judge for further directions. Defendants in the suit, marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/384/2025, include the Clerk of the National Assembly, the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, and the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Code of Conduct, Senator Neda Imasuem.
On March 19, Justice Egwuatu vacated an earlier order issued on March 4, which had declared that any actions taken by the Senate during the pendency of the suit would be “null, void, and of no effect.” The judge agreed with the Senate’s legal team, which argued that the order was vague and ambiguous, as it did not specify which actions it referred to or whom it targeted.
Lawyer for the Senate, Chikaosolu Ojukwu (SAN), contended that the order effectively restrained the Senate from conducting its constitutional duties, thus potentially leading to a constitutional crisis. Ojukwu further argued that such an order would be unconstitutional, violating the doctrine of separation of powers, and urged the court to declare the order invalid.
Lawyers representing the other defendants, including Charles Yoila (for the Clerk), Kehinde Ogunwumiju, SAN (for the Senate President), and Umeh Kalu, SAN (for Senator Imasuem), supported Ojukwu's arguments, agreeing that the original order should be vacated.
The matter now remains unresolved as the case is forwarded for reassignment to a new judge.
