In a surprising development, Justice Obiora Egwuatu of the Federal High Court in Abuja has recused himself from the case filed by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, the Senator representing Kogi Central District.
During Tuesday's court proceedings, Justice Egwuatu announced his decision to withdraw from the matter after the usual court appearances. He cited an allegation of bias from the third defendant in the case, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, as the major reason for his recusal.
It was gathered that the Senate President had expressed a lack of confidence in the court's ability to deliver justice on the matter, leading to Justice Egwuatu's decision to step aside. The case file will now be returned to the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John Tsoho, for reassignment to another judge.
Earlier, Justice Egwuatu had granted an ex-parte order, restraining the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions from conducting disciplinary proceedings against Akpoti-Uduaghan. The female federal lawmaker had prayed the court to grant an order to stop the Senate and its ethics committee from "proceeding with the purported investigation" against her.
The case stems from a seat arrangement dispute between Akpoti-Uduaghan and Senate President Akpabio, in which the lawmaker accused Akpabio of sexual harassment and abuse of office. The Senate had subsequently suspended Akpoti-Uduaghan for six months for misconduct.
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