The Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned proceedings to Tuesday, May 13, for the substantive hearing of a contempt case filed by Senate President Godswill Akpabio against suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central.
Justice Binta Nyako postponed the matter after the second and third defendants informed the court of an application highlighting alleged contemptuous conduct by the plaintiff.
The dispute between Akpabio and Akpoti-Uduaghan stems from a clash over Senate seating arrangements during a plenary session on February 20. The conflict escalated after Akpoti-Uduaghan, in a televised interview, accused Akpabio of sexual harassment.
In response, Akpoti-Uduaghan approached the court to stop the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions from probing her. She filed an ex parte application (FHC/ABJ/CS/384/2025) naming the Clerk of the National Assembly, the Senate, Akpabio, and committee chair Senator Nedamwen Imasuen as defendants.
Although the court, on March 4, granted a restraining order preventing disciplinary action, the Senate suspended Akpoti-Uduaghan two days later, citing gross misconduct based on the committee’s report—despite the matter being before the court.
On April 4, Justice Nyako directed all parties involved—including Akpoti-Uduaghan, Akpabio, the Senate, and others—to refrain from media comments and social media posts about the ongoing case. This came after Akpabio’s lawyers alleged that Akpoti-Uduaghan continued to grant interviews.
At Monday’s hearing, her lead counsel, Jibrin Okutekpa, confirmed that the matter was ready for hearing and that all filings were in order. Legal representatives for the other defendants—Charles Yoila, Paul Daudu, Ekoh Ejembi (SAN), and Valentine Offia—confirmed compliance with court directives.
However, Daudu told the court that Akpoti-Uduaghan violated the media gag order by posting a satirical apology on Facebook, which he argued mocked the court and amounted to contempt. Ejembi supported this, presenting a Punch newspaper article as evidence.
Okutekpa countered, arguing that the post referenced the sexual harassment allegation and was unrelated to the current court matter. He urged the court to dismiss the contempt claims and proceed with the substantive case, noting that his client had been suspended from legislative duties for a total of 68 days.
Justice Nyako ruled that the contempt allegations must be addressed before any other issue could proceed. In response, Okutekpa announced that the plaintiff also intended to file a contempt motion against the defendants.
The judge warned all parties of the consequences of defying court orders, emphasizing that non-compliance could result in personal summons and penalties.
“If your clients disobey the court, then the court has no business hearing them,” Justice Nyako stated. “Bring any contempt applications forward so they can be addressed. But if contempt is proven, there will be consequences.”
