President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, risks imprisonment for allegedly defying a Federal High Court order, as Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan initiates contempt proceedings against the Senate leadership.
The Federal High Court in Abuja issued a Form 48 notice of disobedience, warning Akpabio, Senate Ethics Committee Chairman Neda Imasuem, and the Clerk of the National Assembly of the legal consequences of their actions. The notice, signed by the court registrar under Section 72 of the Sheriffs and Civil Process Act 2004, was served in relation to Suit No: FHC/ABJ/CS/384/2025.
Justice O.A. Egwuatu had, on March 4, 2025, granted an interim injunction restraining the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Code of Conduct from proceeding with an investigation against Akpoti-Uduaghan over an incident that occurred during the Senate plenary on February 20, 2025. However, despite being served with the enrolled order on March 5, 2025, the defendants allegedly continued their actions in defiance of the court’s directive.
The court’s notice reads in part:
“Take notice that pursuant to Section 72 of the Sheriffs and Civil Processes Act, your willful disobedience of the order of this Honourable Court renders you liable for contempt, for which you may be committed to prison unless you comply with the said order.”
Additionally, the court stressed that any action taken by the Senate during the pendency of the suit is null and void. The order directed the defendants to justify why an interlocutory injunction should not be issued against them to halt the ongoing investigation.
The legal battle underscores rising tensions within the Senate as Akpoti-Uduaghan challenges what she perceives as a breach of her legislative privileges.
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