The Federal High Court in Abuja is set to continue proceedings on Tuesday over contempt allegations involving Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan and Senate President Godswill Akpabio. The matter revolves around claims of a court order breach through social media activity.
Presiding over the case, Justice Binta Nyako confirmed the hearing would hold by 12 pm, noting that both contempt applications — one filed by Akpabio and the other by Akpoti-Uduaghan — would be heard together.
During Monday’s proceedings, Justice Nyako remarked, “I want a copy of the Senate rules as well. I will take you tomorrow. I am going to clear the diary.”
The legal tussle traces back to a ruling on April 4, where Justice Nyako directed all parties to avoid making public statements in the media or online about the case while it was still pending.
Akpabio’s legal representative, Senior Advocate of Nigeria Kehinde Ogunwumiju, previously raised objections, accusing Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan of continuing to grant interviews and make public remarks, which he argued went against the court’s directive.
This led Akpabio to submit a contempt motion against the senator, alleging she posted a “satirical letter” on her Facebook page, thereby flouting the court order.
In a counter move, Akpoti-Uduaghan also filed a contempt case targeting Akpabio, the Senate, and other parties. She maintained that her suspension from Senate duties violated an earlier decision by Justice Obiora Egwuatu, which had directed all parties to maintain the status quo until the case was resolved.
In her suit, the senator listed the Clerk of the National Assembly, Senate President Akpabio, the Senate, Senator Neda Imasuen, and the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Code of Conduct as the 1st to 4th defendants respectively.
