Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central, has appealed a ruling by the Federal High Court in Abuja that found her guilty of contempt and fined her N5 million.
In a notice of appeal dated July 9 and filed by her counsel, Roland Otaru, the senator asked the Court of Appeal to overturn the July 4 ruling by Justice Binta Nyako. The ruling had ordered her to pay the fine and publish a public apology in two national newspapers and on Facebook, after she disobeyed a court order prohibiting public commentary on a pending case.
The contempt charge stemmed from a satirical apology Senator Natasha posted on Facebook in April, directed at Senate President Godswill Akpabio. Justice Nyako ruled that this violated the court’s instruction against media discussions related to the case.
In her six-ground appeal, Natasha argued that:
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The trial court lacked jurisdiction to hear a contempt case for an alleged offence committed outside the courtroom (ex facie curiae).
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The appropriate procedure for such contempt is a criminal trial before a different judge, not a summary ruling.
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The trial judge failed to follow the Sheriffs and Civil Processes Act, denying her a fair hearing.
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Her Facebook post, which referenced a sexual harassment claim, was unrelated to the case before the court.
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The fine imposed was not requested in the respondent’s application and exceeded the court’s bounds.
“The law is clear: the court is bound by the reliefs sought. By going beyond the motion and imposing her own sanctions, the judge acted beyond her powers, leading to a miscarriage of justice,” the appeal stated.
Senator Natasha is now seeking to have the entire ruling in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/384/2025 set aside by the Court of Appeal.