By TAIYE AGBAJE

The Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned the judgment, in the suit filed by Sen. Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan against the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, and others, to reverse her suspension until July 4.

The matter, which was fixed for judgment by Justice Binta Nyako on Friday, could not proceed due to the absence of the judge.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Justice Nyako had, on May 13, fixed June 27 for the judgment.

The judge made this known after Michael Numa, SAN, who appeared for Akpoti-Uduaghan, and lawyers to the defendants identified and adopted their processes in the suit.

The trial judge, on July 4, will also deliver judgment in the contempt claims filed by Akpabio and the embattled senator representing Kogi Central Senatorial District at the National Assembly.

She will equally rule on the preliminary objection filed by all the defendants in the suit, including the senate president, challenging the jurisdiction of the court.

?I want to believe that all processes are in.

?What I am going to do is to first of all look at the issues of contempt and take a decision on it.

?Then I will look at the notices of preliminary objection. If they succeed, that is the end of the case and if they don?t, I will look at the originating summons filed by the plaintiff,? the judge had said.

Akpoti-Uduaghan had, in an ex-parte motion, sued the clerk of the National Assembly (NASS) and the Senate as 1st and 2nd defendants.

She also named the President of the Senate, Federal Republic of Nigeria, and Sen. Neda Imasuem, who is the Chairman, Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Code of Conduct as 3rd and 4th defendants respectively.

The senator had sought an order of interim injunction restraining the Senate?s committee headed by Imasuem from proceeding with the purported investigation against her for alleged misconduct sequel to the events that occurred at the plenary on Feb. 20, pursuant to the referral by the Senate on Feb. 25, pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice for interlocutory injunction, among others.

Although an interim order was made by the former judge, Justice Obiora Egwuatu, restraining the defendants from taking any action, the lawmaker was suspended for six months for alleged gross misconduct.

Justice Egwuatu, who had since recused himself from the case, had, however, vacated the interim order restraining the senate from suspending her after a motion was filed by Akpabio accusing the judge of bias.(NAN)

Update news