A Federal High Court in Abuja has issued an order barring parties in the ongoing lawsuit filed by suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan against Senate President Godswill Akpabio and three others from granting media interviews related to the case.

The directive came after a complaint from Akpabio’s lawyer, Kehinde Ogunwumiju (SAN), who expressed concerns that the plaintiff had been granting multiple interviews with television stations, discussing matters currently before the court.

Justice Binta Nyako ruled on Friday that no party or their legal representatives should engage with the media regarding the case.

“There should be no press interview by all parties and counsel as regard the subject matter of this case; no streaming or social media post as regard this case. There should be no TV interviews as regard this. There should be total media blockage,” Justice Nyako stated.

At the start of proceedings, the plaintiff’s lawyer, Jibril Okutepa (SAN), informed the court that the case had been transferred from the court of Justice Obiora Egwuatu. He confirmed that all relevant documents had been exchanged, with the exception of one, and requested the court to consolidate hearings for all pending applications and the main suit.

Justice Nyako granted the request, ruling that all applications, including preliminary objections, would be heard alongside the substantive suit. The case has been adjourned until May 12 for hearing.