In a significant development in the ongoing legal dispute, a federal high court in Abuja has imposed a media ban on all parties involved in the case filed by Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan against Senate President Godswill Akpabio and three other defendants.
The court order, issued on April 4, 2025, mandates that both Akpoti-Uduaghan and the defendants refrain from discussing the case with the press.
The decision followed a complaint filed by Kehinde Ogunwumiju, counsel to Akpabio, who alleged that the plaintiff had made several public statements regarding the ongoing suit through television interviews.
Presiding Judge Binta Nyako ruled that all parties, including their legal representatives, must avoid giving press interviews concerning the case.
Additionally, the ruling prohibits live-streaming of court proceedings on social media platforms.
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The legal battle began when Akpoti-Uduaghan filed a lawsuit to prevent the Senate Ethics and Public Petitions Committee from initiating disciplinary action against her.
A previous ruling on March 4 had temporarily halted any such action, but this was later vacated by the court on March 19.
The case has been further complicated by a series of procedural changes, including the recusal of a previous judge, Obiora Egwuatu, who stepped down after facing accusations of bias from Akpabio.
The matter is now under the jurisdiction of Justice Nyako, and both sides are expected to present their arguments in the coming weeks.