Justice Obiora Egwuatu of the Federal High Court in Abuja, on Tuesday, recused himself from the suit filed by Sen. Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan against the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio and the Senate.
The case seeks to prevent the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions from pursuing disciplinary actions against Sen. Akpoti-Uduaghan for alleged misconduct.
Justice Egwuatu announced his withdrawal after Akpabio expressed concerns about potential bias, which the judge cited as the reason for his decision.
He ordered that the case be sent back to Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John Tsoho, for reassignment.
Previously, Justice Egwuatu had issued an ex parte order restraining the Senate Committee from conducting any disciplinary proceedings against Sen. Akpoti-Uduaghan.
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In earlier rulings, he had set aside a suspension of Sen. Akpoti-Uduaghan by the Senate, declaring it null and void.
The judge had also granted five requests made by Sen. Akpoti-Uduaghan’s legal representative, including a declaration that any action taken by the defendants during the pendency of the suit were null and void.
Sen. Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, filed the motion against the clerk of the National Assembly and the Senate, along with the Senate president and the chairman of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Code of Conduct.
The court had initially fixed a date for the hearing, but had to reschedule to address a motion from the Senate seeking to vacate the earlier orders.
