The Federal High Court in Abuja has barred parties in the suit filed by suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan against the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, and three others from granting press interviews on issues relating to the case.
The presiding judge, Justice Binta Nyako, issued the order on Friday following a complaint by the lawyer to Akpabio, Kehinde Ogunwumiju (SAN), that the plaintiff was moving from one television house to another, granting press interviews on issues relating to her case, which is currently pending before the court.
Justice Nyako issued a brief order stating that all parties and their counsel will not be allowed to do press interviews about the case.
Justice Nyako also prohibited parties and their counsel from live-streaming the case proceedings on social media platforms.
During the day’s proceedings, counsel to the Senate President, Ogunwumiju, claimed that the plaintiff (Natasha) was travelling from one television station to another, giving press interviews on subjects related to her case, which is currently pending before the court.
He stated Natasha has appeared on the BBC and CNN to discuss the matter.
Justice Nyako stated that all parties and their counsel will not give press interviews about the subject of the case.
Justice Nyako, who noted that the matter was sub judice, also prohibited parties and their counsel from live broadcasting the proceedings on social media.
Jibril Okutepa, Natasha’s counsel, informed the court that the matter was being heard for the first time after being transferred from another court presided over by Justice Obiora Egwuatu.
Okutepa stated that the parties had submitted and exchanged all essential documents save one and requested that the court provide a consolidated hearing of all ongoing applications in addition to the substantive matter.
He emphasised the importance of time because his client’s suspicions were only valid for a short time. He stated that his client wanted the dispute resolved as soon as possible.
Counsel to the Clerk of the National Assembly, Charles Iyoila, and Paul Daudu, representing the Senate, did not object to Okutepa’s request that the substantive case be heard with the defendants’ objections.
Ogunwumiju and Umeh Kalu (SAN), representing Senator Neda Imasuem, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Code of Conduct, objected to Okutepa’s application.
Justice Nyako decided in Okutepa’s favour, stating that the court will hear all pending motions, including preliminary objections, as well as the main matter.
Justice Nyako subsequently adjourned until May 12 for a hearing.
Natasha’s suit challenges the Senate’s decision to suspend her for six months for alleged misconduct.
The complaint claims, among other things, that she did not get a fair hearing before the Senate decided to suspend her.
