The Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday barred the suspended Kogi Central lawmaker, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan and the senate president, Senator Godswill Akpabio, from speaking to the press on the pending court case.
The presiding judge, Justice Binta Nyako gave the order at the resumption of the hearing of the suit filed by the suspended Senator Natasha, who is challenging her six-month suspension from the senate, following her altercation with the president of the senate.
Recall that the case was previously assigned to Justice Obiora Egwuatu, whom Senator Akpabio accused of partiality and bias treatment, which consequently necessitated his recuse from the case on March 25 and Justice Nyako being reassigned to take over.
Akpabio’s lawyer, Kehinde Ogunwumiju (SAN), complained during the Friday hearing that the plaintiff, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan had made several media appearances to discuss the pending case, describing it as not only being inappropriate but also sub judice and an affront to the authority of the honourable court.
In her ruling, Justice Nyako instructed all parties involved, along with their legal representatives, to avoid giving interviews or making any public statements concerning the case. She also banned the live streaming of court proceedings on any social media platforms. The case was adjourned until May 12 for further hearing.
