By Bayo Wahab

The Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned the hearing of Senate President Godswill Akpabio’s contempt claims against the suspended Senator representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, until Tuesday, May 13.

Justice Binta Nyako fixed the date on Monday following a submission by the second and third defendants.

The defendant informed the court that they had filed an application highlighting the plaintiff’s alleged contempt.

Recall that the legal dispute between Akpabio and Akpoti-Uduaghan started in February following a dramatic disagreement over seating arrangements during the Senate plenary.

Subsequently, Akpoti-Uduaghan accused Akpabio of sexual harassment during a television programme where she appeared as a guest.

Consequently, the Senator representing Kogi Central approached the Federal High Court seeking an order to restrain the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions from investigating her.

Following her ex parte application, the court issued an order on March 4 restraining the Senate from commencing disciplinary proceedings against her.

However, on March 6, the Senate proceeded to suspend her, citing a committee report alleging gross misconduct.

On April 4, 2025, Justice Nyako ordered Akpoti-Uduaghan, Akpabio, the Clerk of the National Assembly, the Senate, and Imasuen not to grant media interviews or make social media posts related to the case.

At the resumed sitting on Monday, Akpoti-Uduaghan’s legal team, led by Jibrin Okutekpa, told the court that the matter was fixed for hearing and that all required documents had been filed.

Charles Yoila represented the first defendant, while Paul Daudu appeared for the second defendant. Ekoh Ejembi (SAN) stood for the third defendant, and Valentine Offia represented the fourth. All defence counsels affirmed their compliance with the court’s prior directives and expressed readiness to proceed with the hearing.

However, Daudu told the court that despite the order against social media posts, the plaintiff had published a satirical post on her Facebook page.

Dauda said, “This matter is coming up for definite hearing. The second defendant has filed its schedule of hearing. Ordinarily, we are ready to proceed, but 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. The plaintiff herself posted a satirical apology on her Facebook page.”

According to him, the post mocked the court and violated its order, asking it to hold her in contempt.

Supporting Dauda’s submission, Akpabio’s counsel, Ejembi, said the plaintiff’s Facebook post undermined the court’s authority.

“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,” Ejembi said.

Responding, the plaintiff’s counsel countered that the Facebook post was related to the sexual harassment allegation and not the issue before the court.

Therefore, he urged the court to disregard the defendants’ submissions and proceed with hearing the substantive matter.

He urged the court to fast-track the hearing, noting that Akpoti-Uduaghan had spent 68 cumulative days out of the National Assembly. Still, Justice Nyako insisted that the contempt issue must be addressed first.

“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,” the judge said.

Akpoti-Uduaghan’s counsel raised a contempt allegation against all the defendants.

Reacting to the contempt allegation raised by Akpoti-Uduaghan’s lawyers, Justice Nyako said, “If you have an application for contempt, bring it forward so the court can hear it.”

Vanguard News