Action Collective Debunks Claims of Court Vacating Order Against Senate in Natasha Uduaghan Case
ABUJA/Nigeria: A pressure group, Action Collective, has urged Nigerians to disregard speculation suggesting that a Federal High Court in Abuja vacated its earlier order restraining the Senate from investigating Senator Natasha Uduaghan over allegations of sexual harassment against Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
In a statement issued on Thursday in Abuja, the Kogi-based group clarified that the court did not set aside the restraining order, contrary to reports in some sections of the media. It maintained that the order remains in force, despite the Senate’s decision to proceed with Uduaghan’s trial, which led to her six-month suspension.
According to the group, the court prioritized the Senate’s motion, filed on March 17, 2025, over the plaintiff’s application for mandatory injunction, which sought disciplinary measures against the Senate for defying the initial order. The group further noted that the plaintiff’s counsel, Michael Numa, SAN, strongly opposed the Senate’s application, arguing that it had acted in contempt of the court by proceeding with the investigation despite the existing restraining order.
Clarifying the court’s ruling, Action Collective explained that the judge addressed differing interpretations of Order 4, which had been misconstrued by the Senate. The court noted that the National Assembly had continued its legislative functions unhindered and, as a result, only set aside the consequential aspects of Order 4. However, it did not vacate Orders 1, 2, or 3, which specifically restrain the Senate Committee on Ethics from investigating Uduaghan while the motion for an interlocutory injunction remains pending.
The court also upheld its directive for the defendants to show cause within 72 hours and maintain the status quo ante bellum. The matter has been adjourned to March 25, 2025, for the hearing of all pending applications, including the substantive case.
Action Collective urged the public to disregard misinformation circulating about the case, assuring that justice would prevail.
