In a bold move to rein in the media frenzy surrounding the high-profile political showdown, the Federal High Court in Abuja has barred Senate President Godswill Akpabio and suspended Kogi Central Senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, from speaking publicly about their ongoing legal tussle.
Justice Binta Nyako, who now presides over the controversial case, issued the gag order on Friday, following concerns that public comments were undermining the court’s authority. The case stems from Akpoti-Uduaghan’s lawsuit challenging her six-month suspension from the Senate — a move she claims was politically motivated.
This courtroom drama took a twist when the previous judge, Justice Obiora Egwuatu, recused himself after Akpabio accused him of bias. Now under Justice Nyako, the court is tightening the reins on media exposure.
Akpabio’s legal counsel, Kehinde Ogunwumiju (SAN), raised the alarm during Friday’s hearing, stating that Akpoti-Uduaghan had repeatedly taken to the airwaves to discuss the case — a move he described as “an affront to the court.”
Justice Nyako agreed and promptly issued an order barring all parties and their lawyers from granting interviews or making any public statements about the matter. She also banned the streaming of court proceedings on social media or any online platform.
The legal battle will resume on May 12.
Earlier, Justice Egwuatu had paused the Senate Committee’s disciplinary actions against Akpoti-Uduaghan, which were triggered by allegations of legislative misconduct. The judge had ordered a temporary halt to the proceedings and demanded that the Senate justify why it shouldn’t be permanently restrained from probing her.
Despite that order, the Senate Committee pressed on and ultimately suspended the senator for six months, sparking backlash and further legal moves.
Akpoti-Uduaghan was also granted permission by the court to serve her lawsuit through alternative means, including notices pasted at the National Assembly and published in two national newspapers.
However, Justice Egwuatu later softened his ruling, allowing the Senate to continue its internal activities even while the case was still being heard — a decision that didn’t sit well with Akpoti-Uduaghan’s legal team.
Meanwhile, Akpabio maintains that the judiciary has no business interfering in what he calls the “internal affairs” of the Senate.
The courtroom silence may have just begun, but the tension between both political gladiators is far from over. All eyes are now on the May 12 hearing, where this heated political-legal drama continues to unfold.
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