Court bars Akpabio, Natasha from press interviews on suspension suit

Justice Binta Nyako has barred parties, including Akpabio and Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, from press interviews on her suspension suit

[dropcap]J[/dropcap]ustice Binta Fatima Nyako of the Federal High Court in Abuja has issued an order restraining all parties involved in the lawsuit filed by the suspended Senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, against the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, and three others, from granting press interviews regarding the case.

Also read: Senate Drama: Akpabio’s disrespect towards Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan sparks unfolding crisis

The order was issued on Friday following a complaint raised by Kehinde Ogunwumiju (SAN), the legal representative for Senator Akpabio.

Ogunwumiju informed the court that the plaintiff, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, had been actively engaging with various television news outlets, granting interviews and discussing matters directly related to the ongoing legal proceedings. He specifically mentioned appearances on international news channels such as the BBC and CNN.

In a concise ruling, Justice Nyako explicitly stated that all parties involved in the suit, including their legal counsel, are prohibited from giving any press interviews concerning the subject matter of the case.

Furthermore, Justice Nyako also barred all parties and their lawyers from live-streaming any part of the court proceedings on social media platforms.

The judge emphasised that the case was sub-judice, meaning it is currently under judicial consideration and therefore should not be publicly debated or commented upon outside of the courtroom.

During Friday’s proceedings, Jibril Okutepa, counsel for Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, informed the court that the case was appearing for the first time before Justice Nyako, having been transferred from another court presided over by Justice Obiora Egwuatu.

Okutepa stated that all necessary documents had been filed and exchanged between the parties, with the exception of one outstanding document.

He subsequently requested the court to grant a consolidated hearing for all pending applications alongside the substantive suit, highlighting the urgency of the matter due to the limited timeframe of his client’s suspension and her desire for a swift resolution.

Counsel representing the Clerk of the National Assembly, Charles Iyoila, and Paul Daudu, representing the Senate, did not object to Okutepa’s plea for a consolidated hearing.

However, Ogunwumiju, representing Senator Akpabio, and Umeh Kalu (SAN), representing Senator Neda Imasuem, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Code of Conduct, opposed the application.

Justice Nyako ultimately ruled in favour of Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s counsel, ordering that all pending applications, including preliminary objections raised by the defendants, would be heard concurrently with the substantive suit. The court then adjourned the hearing of the case until May 12.

Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s lawsuit challenges the decision made by the Senate to suspend her for a period of six months due to alleged misconduct.

Also read: How to impeach Akpabio – Shehu Sani tells Senators

Her legal team is arguing, among other points, that she was not afforded a fair hearing by the Senate before the suspension was imposed.

Peculiar Adirika