The Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday adjourned until Tuesday, May 13, for the substantive hearing of contempt allegations filed by Senate President Godswill Akpabio against suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central.
Justice Binta Nyako postponed the hearing following submissions by the second and third defendants, who said they had filed an application drawing the court’s attention to alleged contemptuous behavior by the plaintiff.
The dispute stems from a disagreement over seating arrangements during Senate plenary on February 20, which later escalated when Akpoti-Uduaghan, in a televised interview, accused Akpabio of sexual harassment. In response to disciplinary moves by the Senate, she sought a court injunction to stop the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions from investigating her.
On March 4, the court granted an interim order restraining the Senate from proceeding with any disciplinary action. However, the Senate went ahead on March 6 to suspend her, citing alleged gross misconduct, despite the matter being sub judice.
On April 4, Justice Nyako issued an order restraining all parties—including Akpoti-Uduaghan, Akpabio, the Clerk of the National Assembly, and Senator Nedamwen Imasuen—from making public statements or social media posts related to the case.
During Monday’s session, counsel for the second defendant, Paul Daudu, informed the court of a Facebook post by Akpoti-Uduaghan which he described as a “satirical apology,” claiming it violated the court’s non-publication directive. He called for the court to consider the post as contempt.
Akpabio’s lawyer, Ekoh Ejembi (SAN), supported the motion, presenting a newspaper article referencing the post and arguing it mocked the court’s authority.
In response, Akpoti-Uduaghan’s lead counsel, Jibrin Okutekpa, argued that the post pertained only to the sexual harassment allegation and not the legal issue at hand. He urged the court to proceed with the main suit, stressing that his client had already missed 68 cumulative days in the National Assembly due to the ongoing suspension.
Justice Nyako, however, insisted that the contempt matter must be resolved first before addressing the substantive case. She cautioned all parties about disobeying court orders and warned that continued violations could prompt the court to summon all involved parties.
“You cannot allow your client to disrespect this court. If they are found in contempt, they will face punishment. If not, the court will proceed,” she said.
The judge also invited Akpoti-Uduaghan’s legal team to file their own contempt motion against the defendants if they had valid claims, signaling her intent to address all allegations before proceeding further with the case.