UPDATED: Court bans Natasha, Akpabio, others from press interviews

Justice Binta Fatima Nyako of the Federal High Court in Abuja has barred parties in the suit filed by suspended Senator 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 on Friday following a complaint by the lawyer to Akpabio, Kehinde Ogunwumiju (SAN), 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.

In a brief ruling, Justice Nyako said there shall be no press interviews by all parties and their lawyers regarding the subject matter of the case.

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

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At the day’s proceeding, counsel to the Senate President, Ogunwumiju, had complained that the plaintiff ( Natasha ), was moving from one television house to another, granting press interviews on issues relating to her case, currently pending 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.

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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.