IN yet another twist in the high-stakes battle between Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan and the Nigerian Senate, Justice Obiora Egwuatu has stepped down from the controversial case challenging her suspension.
His decision comes just days after a Federal High Court also sitting in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja overturned its own earlier ruling that had declared her suspension illegal and void.
At the resumed hearing of the matter on Tuesday, Justice Egwatu, after taking the appearance of counsel in the matter announced his decision to withdraw from the matter.
The presiding judge in the matter cited the allegation of bias from the third defendant in the case, the Senate President, Senator Godswilll Akpabio, as the major reason for his actions.
It was gathered that the Senate President had expressed a lack of confidence in the ability of the court to do justice in the matter, hence the reason for the development.
Justice Egwatu said the case file will be returned to the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John Tsoho, for reassignment to another judge.
Eighteen-Eleven Media reports that on 4 March, Justice Egwuatu ruled in Senator Natasha’s favour, granting five key reliefs, including an order stating that any decisions made by the Senate while the case was ongoing would be null and void.
The ruling was based on an ex-parte motion filed by her legal team led by Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Sanusi Musa. The motion, FHC/ABJ/CS/384/2025, directly challenged the legality of her suspension.
But just when Senator Natasha thought she had secured a legal victory, the Senate struck back. On 17 March, Senate lawyer Chikaosolu Ojukwu, SAN, filed a motion to overturn the judge’s order, arguing that it would lead to a constitutional crisis and violate the separation of powers under Section 4 of the 1999 Constitution.
In response, Justice Egwuatu set aside the order that had previously restrained the Senate from carrying out its legislative functions. The case was then adjourned to 25 March for further hearings.
Eighteen-Eleven Media