The Federal High Court in Abuja, on Monday, adjourned to Tuesday, May 13, for the definite hearing of a contempt case filed by Senate President Godswill Akpabio against the suspended senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
Justice Binta Nyako fixed the date after counsels to the second and third defendants informed the court that they had filed a motion highlighting alleged contemptuous conduct by the plaintiff.
The courtroom tension is the latest twist in a heated legal battle that began over a disagreement in seating arrangements during a February 20 Senate plenary. The rift escalated after Akpoti-Uduaghan accused Akpabio of sexual harassment during a television appearance.
Following that, Akpoti-Uduaghan filed an ex parte motion at the Federal High Court to restrain the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions from investigating her. The motion, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/384/2025, named the Clerk of the National Assembly, the Senate, the Senate President, and Committee Chairman Senator Nedamwen Imasuen as defendants.
Although Justice Nyako issued an order on March 4 barring the Senate from initiating disciplinary actions, the legislative body suspended Akpoti-Uduaghan just two days later, citing a committee report accusing her of misconduct—despite the court matter still pending.
On April 4, the judge further barred all parties from granting media interviews or posting about the case on social media. But in Monday’s session, counsel to the second defendant, Paul Daudu, accused Akpoti-Uduaghan of flouting that directive by publishing a satirical post on Facebook, mocking the court’s restraint.
Supporting the claim, Akpabio’s counsel, Ekoh Ejembi (SAN), submitted a Punch newspaper article as evidence of the controversial post, asserting that it undermined the court's dignity.
Akpoti-Uduaghan’s lawyer, Jibrin Okutekpa, defended the post, claiming it referenced the sexual harassment issue and not the subject of the court case. He argued that the defendants were simply trying to delay the hearing and requested that the court proceed without distractions, noting that his client had already missed 68 cumulative days in the National Assembly.
Justice Nyako, however, held firm, stating that the contempt issue must be resolved before the main case can continue. “If there is contempt, I have to hear and determine it first,” she ruled.
Tensions further rose when Okutekpa countered by accusing the defendants of also being in contempt and insisted that both sides should be heard equally.
Justice Nyako issued a stern warning: “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.”
She advised the plaintiff’s team to file a formal contempt application if they had one, promising the court would address it accordingly.
As it stands, the court will resume proceedings on May 13 to first settle the contempt allegations before delving into the core case—a legal saga that continues to attract national attention.
Punch