The Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned hearing on the contempt proceedings involving suspended Kogi Central Senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, and Senate President Godswill Akpabio to Tuesday, May 13.
Justice Binta Nyako fixed the new date on Monday following submissions from legal representatives of the parties involved. The courtroom drama stems from a post-plenary dispute and escalated after Akpoti-Uduaghan, during a televised interview, accused Akpabio of sexual harassment.
In response, the Senate suspended her despite a March 4 court order restraining disciplinary actions, prompting Akpoti-Uduaghan to seek redress. She sued the Senate, Senate President, Clerk of the National Assembly, and the Ethics Committee Chairman, Senator Nedamwen Imasuen, in suit FHC/ABJ/CS/384/2025.
During Monday’s sitting, the second defendant’s counsel, Paul Daudu, informed the court of a satirical Facebook post allegedly published by Akpoti-Uduaghan in defiance of Justice Nyako’s order against media and social media commentary. Akpabio’s lawyer, Ekoh Ejembi (SAN), backed the claim, submitting a Punch newspaper report as evidence.
Daudu stated, “The plaintiff herself posted a satirical apology on her Facebook page,” arguing that the act amounted to mockery and contempt of court.
However, Akpoti-Uduaghan’s counsel, Jibrin Okutekpa (SAN), countered that the post was unrelated to the current proceedings and urged the court to dismiss the claims and focus on the substantive matter. He also raised a counter-allegation of contempt against all the defendants.
Justice Nyako made it clear that contempt allegations must be resolved before the main hearing can continue.
“If there is contempt, I have to hear and determine it first,” she said, warning that persistent defiance of the court’s orders would not be tolerated.
The judge urged all parties to file their contempt applications for determination, warning that any further disobedience could result in their clients being summoned to appear in person.
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