Friday, August 1, 2025

The Truth Banishes Fear!

Natasha Vs Akpabio: Court Bars All Parties In Litigation From Press Interviews

The New Diplomat
Writer

Ad

PHOTOS: 2Baba, Natasha Osawaru Wed Traditionally

By Hamilton Nwosu Afrobeat legend Innocent Ujah Idibia, widely known as 2Baba or 2Face, has officially married Natasha Osawaru, an Edo State House of Assembly member, in a private traditional wedding held in Abuja on July 25, 2025. The ceremony, attended by close family members and friends, including 2Baba’s mother, has sparked widespread buzz across…

Trump Envoy Vows Tougher Russia Oil Sanctions

Keith Kellogg, Trump's special envoy to Russia and Ukraine, has freshly warned in newly published comments that oil sanctions will have a serious and hard-hitting economic impact if properly enforced - though they haven't been up till now, he suggested. His prediction comes after President Trump's announcement early this week that he would shorten Russia’s…

Appeal Court Declares Aiyedatiwa as Winner of Ondo Guber Election

• Dismisses Agboola Ajayi's Petition By Hamilton Nwosu  The Akure Division of the Court of Appeal in Ondo State on Thursday upheld the election of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State as the winner of the November 16, 2024, governorship election conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The judgment was delivered by a…

Ad

By Kolawole Ojebisi

Justice Binta Fatima Nyako of the Federal High Court in Abuja has restrained parties in the suit filed by the lawmaker representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, against the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, and three others from granting press interviews on issues relating to the case.

The judge issued the order after a complaint by Kehinde Ogunwumiju (SAN), the lawyer to Akpabio, that the plaintiff was moving from one television house to another, granting press interviews on issues relating to her case, which is currently pending before the court.

Giving his verdict, Justice Nyako mandated all parties involved in the suit, including their lawyers, to desist from granting press interviews until the court gives its final judgement.

Justice Nyako also barred parties and their lawyers from engaging in streaming the proceedings of the case on social media.

At the day’s proceeding, counsel to the Senate President, Ogunwumiju, had complained that the plaintiff ( Natasha ), was in the habit of moving from one mediavl house to another, granting press interviews on issues relating to the pending case before the court.

He claimed that Natasha has been to the BBC and CNN to speak on the issue.

Justice Nyako said there shall be no press interviews by all parties and their lawyers as regards the subject matter of the case.

Justice Nyako, who noted that the case was sub-judice, also barred parties and their lawyers from engaging in streaming of proceedings in the case on social media.

Counsel to Natasha, Jibril Okutepa, told the court that the case was coming up for the first time, having been transferred from another court, presided over by Justice Obiora Egwuatu.

Okutepa said parties have filed and exchanged all relevant documents, except one, and prayed the court to grant a consolidated hearing of all pending applications along with the substantive suit.

He noted that time was of the essence because his client’s suspicion was for a limited period. He added that his client was desirous of expeditious determination of the case.

Counsel to the Clerk of the National Assembly, Charles Iyoila and Paul Daudu, who represented the Senate, did not object to Okutepa’s application that the substantive case should be heard with the objections raised by the defendants.

Ogunwumiju and Umeh Kalu (SAN), who represented Senator Neda Imasuem – Chairman, Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Code of Conduct – objected to Okutepa’s application.

Justice Nyako ruled and held in favour of Okutepa, saying the court would hear all pending applications, including preliminary objections along with the substantive suit.

She subsequently adjourned till May 12 for a hearing.

Natasha is, by the suit, challenging the decision of the Senate to suspend her for six months over alleged misconduct.

The plaintiff is contending, among others, that she was not accorded fair hearing before the Senate took the decision to suspend her.

Ad

X whatsapp