Court to hear contempt charge against Natasha over social media post
By Jeffrey Agbo
The Federal High Court in Abuja is set to hear a contempt case filed by Senate President Godswill Akpabio against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan over an alleged social media post that reportedly violates a court order.
Justice Binta Nyako, presiding over the case, adjourned the matter to Tuesday at noon, noting that she would also address a separate contempt application previously filed by Akpoti-Uduaghan against Akpabio, the Senate, and other parties.
“I want a copy of the Senate rules as well. I will take you tomorrow. I am going to clear the diary,” the judge stated, requesting a copy of the Senate’s rules to aid the proceedings.
Justice Nyako had issued an order on April 4 barring all involved parties from engaging with the media or making social media posts concerning the ongoing legal matter. This decision was prompted by concerns raised by Akpabio’s legal counsel, Kehinde Ogunwumiju, SAN, who claimed that Akpoti-Uduaghan had continued to grant interviews and comment publicly on the issue.
Akpabio’s legal team later submitted a motion accusing her of disobeying the court’s directive by posting a satirical message on her Facebook page, which they argue amounts to contempt.
In a parallel development, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan had earlier filed her own contempt charge, accusing Akpabio, the Senate, and others of defying a restraining order issued by Justice Obiora Egwuatu. That order had prohibited any punitive action against her pending the outcome of the case.
Akpoti-Uduaghan is challenging her suspension and has listed the Clerk of the National Assembly, Senate President Akpabio, the Senate, and Senator Neda Imasuen—Chair of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Code of Conduct—as first to fourth defendants, respectively.
