Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court in Abuja has prohibited parties involved in the lawsuit filed by suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan against the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, and three others from giving press interviews related to her six-month suspension.
Following a complaint by Kehinde Ogunwumiju, a lawyer to Akpabio, that the plaintiff was giving press interviews on issues relating to her case, currently pending before the court, Nyako issued the order on Friday.
Justice Nyako has ruled that no press interviews are allowed for all parties involved and their lawyers regarding the case, and has also prohibited live streaming of the proceedings on social media.
During the day’s proceedings, Ogunwumiju, counsel to the Senate President, expressed concern that Natasha, the plaintiff, was giving press interviews on her pending case at various television stations, including the BBC and CNN.
Justice Nyako ruled that there shall be no press interviews by all parties and their lawyers regarding the case, and also barred parties and their lawyers from streaming proceedings on social media, citing that the case was sub-judice.
Counsel to Natasha, Jibril Okutepa, informed the court that the case was making its first appearance, having been transferred from Justice Obiora Egwuatu’s court. Okutepa stated that all relevant documents had been filed and exchanged, except for one, and requested a consolidated hearing of all pending applications along with the substantive suit.
He emphasized the urgency of the matter, as his client’s suspicion was only for a limited time, and expressed his client’s desire for a swift resolution to the case. Counsel for the Clerk of the National Assembly, Charles Iyoila and Paul Daudu, representing the Senate, did not oppose Okutepa’s application to hear the substantive case along with the defendants’ objections.
Ogunwumiju and Umeh Kalu (SAN), who represented Senator Neda Imasuem – Chairman, Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Code of Conduct – objected to Okutepa’s application.
Justice Nyako ruled and held in favour of Okutepa, saying the court would hear all pending applications, including preliminary objections along with the substantive suit.
She subsequently adjourned till May 12 for a hearing.
Natasha is, by the suit, challenging the decision of the Senate to suspend her for six months over alleged misconduct.
The plaintiff is contending, among others, that she was not accorded fair hearing before the Senate took the decision to suspend her.
