Court stops Senate Committee from probing Natasha

A Federal High Court in Abuja has restrained the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions from conducting a disciplinary proceeding against the Senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
Justice Obiora Egwuatu, gave the order on Tuesday following an ex parte application filed by Akpoti-Uduaghan’s counsel.
The Kogi Central lawmaker, had clashed with Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, over seat allocation.
She rejected her assigned seat, defying Akpabio’s order and repeatedly raising a point of order despite being overruled.
The Senator representing Ekiti South Sentorial District, Yemi Adaramodu, who raised a point of order during plenary, said the incident had tarnished the Senate’s image.
He said attempts to clarify the Senate’s position have been unsuccessful as the people already have their opinion on the incident based on the Kogi lawmaker’s action.
Following the development, the Senate referred Akpoti-Uduaghan to the Ethics committee for disciplinary review.
The upper legislative chamber took the decision during last Tuesday‘s plenary, following consideration and adoption of a report presented by Adaramdou.
Senators unanimously approved that the matter be referred to the committee after it was put to a voice vote by Akpabio.
The Senate President asked the committee to review the entire incident and report back to the Red Chamber.
The Senate Committee had scheduled its meeting on the matter for 2pm today.