Court Adjourns Akpabio’s Contempt Case Against Natasha To May 13

The Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday adjourned the hearing of contempt allegations brought by Senate President Godswill Akpabio against suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan until Tuesday, May 13.

Justice Binta Nyako fixed the new date after the second and third defendants notified the court of a pending application concerning alleged contempt by the plaintiff.

The dispute stems from a plenary session incident on February 20 regarding seating arrangements in the Senate. It escalated when Akpoti-Uduaghan later accused Akpabio of sexual harassment during a television appearance.

Following the fallout, the senator filed an ex parte motion (FHC/ABJ/CS/384/2025), seeking to restrain the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions from investigating her. She named the Clerk of the National Assembly, the Senate, Senate President Akpabio, and committee chairman Senator Nedamwen Imasuen as defendants.

On March 4, the court granted an interim order restraining the Senate from taking disciplinary actions. However, despite the order, the Senate suspended Akpoti-Uduaghan on March 6, citing a committee report on alleged gross misconduct.

Justice Nyako later ordered all parties on April 4 to refrain from media interviews and social media commentary on the case. This followed complaints from Akpabio’s legal team that the plaintiff continued to speak publicly on the matter.

At Monday’s resumed hearing, Akpoti-Uduaghan’s lead counsel, Jibrin Okutekpa, informed the court that they were prepared to proceed and had filed all necessary documentation.

Charles Yoila appeared for the first defendant; Paul Daudu represented the second; Ekoh Ejembi (SAN) for the third; and Valentine Offia for the fourth. All defence lawyers affirmed compliance with previous court orders.

However, Daudu raised concern over a Facebook post made by the plaintiff:

“This court ordered that there should be no social media posts, but there was one. The plaintiff herself posted a satirical apology on her Facebook page,” he told the court.

He argued that the post mocked the court and constituted a violation of its directive.

Ejembi, representing Akpabio, supported the submission: “We are alleging that the Facebook post made by the plaintiff is a mockery of the court’s proceedings. We tender a Punch newspaper report showing she made the post despite the court’s order.”

In response, Okutekpa insisted the post was unrelated to the matter before the court: “Our counter-affidavit concerns only the matter before the court. The satirical post has no connection to it,” he said, urging the court to move forward with the substantive hearing.

He further appealed for an expedited process, noting that Akpoti-Uduaghan had been out of the National Assembly for 68 cumulative days.

Justice Nyako maintained that the contempt issue would take precedence: “I cannot proceed with this matter until I conclude on the issue of contempt. If there is contempt, I have to hear and determine it first.”

Okutekpa then raised a counter-allegation of contempt against the defendants: “My Lord, you have paused this trial over a contempt allegation. We also have an issue of contempt against all the defendants.”

Justice Nyako issued a firm warning to all legal teams: “I have the power to summon all your clients to appear in court. If counsel or litigants disobey the court, then the court has no business hearing them—that is my position.”

“If you have an application for contempt, bring it forward so the court can hear it.” She added

And concluded, “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.”