A Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned further hearing in the fundamental rights enforcement suit filed by suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (PDP, Kogi Central) to March 25 to enable respondents in suit file their responses.

Respondents in the suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/384/2025, the Clerk of the National Assembly (NASS) the Senate, the President of the Senate, and Sen. Neda Imasuem (the Chairman, Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Code of Conduct).

On February 4 Justice Obiora Egwuatu heard an ex-parte motion filed by Akpoti-Uduaghan and issued some interim injunctions, including an order “directing the respondents to show cause within 72 hours why reliefs in a pending motion on notice for interlocutory injunctions, filed by the applicant, should not be granted.

Part of the reliefs contained in the motion on notice including an order restraining the respondents “from proceeding with the investigation against the plaintiff for alleged misconduct without affording her privileges as stipulated in the 1999 Constitution (as amended), the Senate Standing Order 2023 and the Legislative Houses (Powers and Privileges) Act.”

It is Akpoti-Uduaghan’s contention, in the substantive suit that her right to fair hearing had been denied by the respondents.

At the mention of the case on Monday, lawyers to the Clerk, the Senate and Akpabio told the court that their clients were not yet served with court documents so far filed by the applicant. 

Applicant’s lawyer, Michael Numa, (SAN) said all the respondents had been served and that evidence of service were already before the court.

Justice Egwuatu then went through the court’s file and confirmed that the respondents had been served as required.

Akpabio’s lawyer, Kehinde Ogunwumiju (SAN) subsequently sought an adjornment for parties to regularise all processes.

Lawyers to the other respondents agreed with Ogunwumiju’s submission, noting that it would prevent delay on the next adjourned date.

Justice Egwatu, in a ruling, ordered that all relevant processes should be filed and served on parties in the case before the next adjourned date.

The judge then adjourned the matter until March 25 for hearing.