Court Sets May 13 To Hear Akpabio’s Contempt Claims Against Natasha
THECONSCIENCE NG reports that Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court Abuja has adjourned till Tuesday, May 13, for the definite hearing of the contempt claims made against the suspended Senator representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, by the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio.
Justice Nyako fixed the date following the submission of the second and third defendants, who stated that an application by them is before the court, drawing its attention to the alleged contempt of the plaintiff.
At the resumed hearing, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s legal team, led by Jibrin Okutekpa, informed the court that the matter was slated for hearing as previously adjourned.
He added that the court had asked parties in the suit to file relevant documents, which they had done, and that they were ready to proceed.
Charles Yoila appeared for the first defendant, Paul Daudu (SAN) announced his appearance for the second defendant, Ekoh Ejembi (SAN), appeared for the third defendant, and Valentine Offia announced his appearance for the fourth defendant.
All the defence lawyers informed the court that, in line with the court’s orders from the previous sitting, they had filed their schedule of hearing processes and were ready for the hearing.
However, the Senate’s counsel, Daudu, informed the court that, despite the court’s order to refrain from making social media posts related to the suit, the plaintiff had posted a satirical apology on her social media page.
“This matter is coming up for definite hearing. The second defendant has filed its schedule of hearing. Ordinarily, we are ready to proceed with the hearing; however, a further affidavit was served on me just on Friday, which I am entitled to respond to.
“This court ordered that there should be no social media posts, but there was one. There was a satirical post by none other than the plaintiff herself, titled Satirical Apology, on her Facebook page,” Daudu said.
He added that the plaintiff’s action was a mockery of the court and disobedience of its order, urging the court to hold her in contempt.
Akpabio’s counsel, Ejembi, aligned himself with the submission of the second defendant, stating that the plaintiff had disobeyed the court’s order.
“We are alleging that the Facebook post made by the plaintiff herself is a mockery of the proceedings of this court. We tender the Punch newspaper report, which stated that the plaintiff made the satirical apology post despite the court’s orders,” Ejembi said.
following the committee’s report on her alleged gross misconduct—despite the case being sub judice.
On Friday, April 4, 2025, Justice Nyako issued an order restraining Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, Senate President Akpabio, the Clerk of the National Assembly, the Senate, and the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Code of Conduct, Senator Imasuen, from granting further media interviews or making posts on social media while the suit remains pending before the court.
The order followed the submission of Akpabio’s counsel that Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan had been granting press interviews on issues related to the case despite its pending status.
