Court did not lift order halting Senate probe of Akpoti-Uduaghan – Group

A Kogi-based pressure group, Action Collective, has dismissed reports that a court vacated its restraining order preventing the Senate from investigating Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan over her sexual harassment allegation against Senate President Godswill Akpabio.

In a statement issued on Thursday in Abuja, the group clarified that the Federal High Court had not overturned its previous directive barring the Senate from proceeding with its probe. Instead, it reaffirmed that the order remained in effect.

According to Action Collective, the court did not grant the Plaintiff’s request for a mandatory injunction but instead prioritised a motion filed by the Senate on 17 March 2025. However, it did not vacate the earlier restraining order.

“The restraining order remains valid despite misleading reports suggesting otherwise,” the group stated.

The group also condemned the Senate’s decision to proceed with Akpoti-Uduaghan’s trial despite the court’s clear directive, which ultimately led to her six-month suspension.

The statement noted that Akpoti-Uduaghan’s legal counsel, Michael Numa (SAN), strongly opposed the Senate’s motion, arguing that the legislative body had no right to seek further orders from a court it had already defied.

“After standing down the matter for a few hours, the judge returned to clarify the scope of Order 4. Contrary to the Senate’s claims that the order sought to obstruct legislative functions, the court affirmed that the National Assembly has continued its work without hindrance,” the statement read.

While the court acknowledged varying interpretations of Order 4, it only set aside its consequential aspects to avoid misinterpretation. However, it did not overturn the core restraining orders—Orders 1, 2, and 3—which explicitly barred the Senate’s Ethics Committee from proceeding with its inquiry while the motion for an interlocutory injunction remained pending.

Additionally, the court did not reverse its directive requiring the Senate to show cause within 72 hours or its instruction to maintain the status quo ante bellum.

The matter has now been adjourned to 25 March 2025, when all pending applications, including the substantive dispute, will be heard.

Action Collective urged the public to disregard misinformation circulating in certain quarters, assuring that justice would prevail.