The Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned proceedings until Tuesday, May 13, 2025, to address contempt claims against suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, amid an escalating legal battle with Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
The dispute, rooted in allegations of misconduct and violations of court orders, highlights tensions within Nigeria’s legislative and judicial spheres.
Justice Binta Nyako made the decision during a court session on Monday, following submissions from defense lawyers who accused Akpoti-Uduaghan of breaching a prior court directive prohibiting social media posts related to the ongoing case. The adjournment comes as both sides trade accusations of contempt, potentially delaying resolution of the substantive matter.
The controversy began in February 2025, when a disagreement over seating arrangements during a Senate plenary session escalated into broader accusations. Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing the Kogi Central Senatorial District, alleged sexual harassment against Akpabio during a television appearance.
In response, Akpoti-Uduaghan filed a lawsuit at the Federal High Court, seeking to block the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions from investigating her claims.
In an ex parte motion marked FHC/ABJ/CS/384/2025, Akpoti-Uduaghan named the Clerk of the National Assembly, the Senate, Akpabio, and the committee’s chairman, Senator Nedamwen Imasuen, as defendants. On March 4, 2025, the court granted an interim order restraining the Senate from initiating disciplinary proceedings against her.
However, the Senate defied the order on March 6, 2025, suspending Akpoti-Uduaghan for alleged gross misconduct, a move her legal team argued was unlawful as the matter was already sub judice.
The situation intensified on April 4, 2025, when Justice Nyako issued a gag order, prohibiting all parties from granting media interviews or making social media posts about the case.
This directive was prompted by claims from Akpabio’s counsel that Akpoti-Uduaghan had continued to speak publicly despite earlier warnings.
At Monday’s hearing, tensions peaked as lawyers for the defendants raised fresh contempt allegations against Akpoti-Uduaghan. Paul Daudu, representing the second defendant, informed the court that Akpoti-Uduaghan had posted a satirical message on her Facebook page, which he described as a direct violation of the court’s order. “This court ordered that there should be no social media posts, but there was one.
The plaintiff herself posted a satirical apology on her Facebook page,” Daudu stated, arguing that the post mocked the court’s authority and warranted contempt proceedings.
Ekoh Ejembi, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) representing Akpabio, echoed these sentiments, presenting evidence from a Punch newspaper report. “We are alleging that the Facebook post made by the plaintiff is a mockery of the court’s proceedings,” Ejembi said, urging the judge to address the issue before proceeding.
In defense, Akpoti-Uduaghan’s lead counsel, Jibrin Okutekpa, dismissed the allegations, asserting that the post was unrelated to the court case and pertained to the original sexual harassment claims. “Our counter-affidavit concerns only the matter before the court.
The satirical post has no connection to it,” Okutekpa argued. He urged the court to prioritize the main hearing, noting that his client had already been sidelined from the National Assembly for 68 cumulative days due to the suspension.
However, Justice Nyako emphasized the need to resolve the contempt issue first. “I cannot proceed with this matter until I conclude on the issue of contempt. If there is contempt, I have to hear and determine it first,” she ruled.
Okutekpa then countered by alleging contempt against all defendants, prompting the judge to warn all parties of potential consequences for non-compliance. “I have the power to summon all your clients to appear in court. If counsel or litigants disobey the court, then the court has no business hearing them—that is my position,” Nyako cautioned.
All defense lawyers, including Charles Yoila for the first defendant and Valentine Offia for the fourth defendant, confirmed their readiness for the hearing and compliance with previous orders. Despite this, the focus shifted to the contempt claims, leading to the adjournment.
The case underscores ongoing frictions between Nigeria’s executive and legislative branches, with potential implications for parliamentary privileges and freedom of expression. As the hearing resumes on May 13, 2025, legal experts anticipate a rigorous examination of the contempt allegations, which could influence the broader dispute and Akpoti-Uduaghan’s status in the Senate.
This report is based on court proceedings and statements from involved parties. The outcome of the adjourned hearing may provide further clarity on the allegations and the path forward for the suspended senator.
