Court to deliver judgement Natasha, Akpabio contempt case June 27
….As another court berates suspended lawmaker over social media misconduct
By Austine Agbo Emmanuel, Kaduna
Suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan continues to face mounting legal challenges, as the Federal High Court in Abuja has set 27 June 2025 to deliver judgment in her suit challenging her suspension from the Nigerian Senate.
In a separate proceeding, a High Court in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has strongly criticised her over alleged improper conduct on social media.
Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court made the announcement on Tuesday during a hearing in the suit filed by Akpoti-Uduaghan against the Senate, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, the National Assembly, and Senator Neda Imasuen, who chairs the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Code of Conduct.
Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central Senatorial District, was suspended for six months in March over allegations of misconduct. She has maintained that the decision to suspend her was politically motivated and infringed on her constitutional rights as an elected senator.
At the hearing, Justice Nyako informed the parties that the court would rule on 27 June. However, she noted that the issue of contempt allegations raised by both sides would be addressed first, followed by the consideration of preliminary objections filed by the defendants.
“I will first deal with the contempt allegations and issue a ruling. After that, I will assess the preliminary objections. If those succeed, the matter ends there. If not, I will proceed to consider the originating summons filed by the plaintiff,” she stated.
Akpoti-Uduaghan’s counsel, Jibrin Okutekpa (SAN), confirmed that all relevant documents had been submitted to the court. He also disclosed that a motion for contempt had been filed against the respondents for allegedly defying existing court orders.
In response, the defence team accused the senator of contempt as well, citing a satirical apology she posted on her social media pages targeting Senate President Akpabio. They argued that the post mocked the Senate’s authority and amounted to a deliberate act of defiance.
In a related legal development, an FCT High Court sitting in Maitama has ruled on a fundamental human rights suit filed by Ali Bello, Chief of Staff to Kogi State Governor Usman Ododo, against Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan.
The case, registered as FCT/HC/CV/2574/2024, centred on a social media post in which the senator published a photo and address of Bello’s residence in Abuja, alleging that it had been used to hide former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello, who was then being sought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Delivering his judgment, Justice Sylvanus Oriji criticised the senator’s actions as inappropriate, unjustifiable, and lacking in ethical responsibility, especially considering her position as a public official.
“This court finds the conduct of the respondent improper, reprehensible, and unconscionable. Such behaviour is unacceptable and must be condemned,” Justice Oriji said.
While the judge declined to grant the N1 billion in damages sought by Bello, he found that the senator’s post was not supported by any reliable evidence connecting the property to Yahaya Bello. He further held that the publication, although not constituting a severe invasion of privacy, was unwarranted and lacked factual basis.
Justice Oriji affirmed that Ali Bello had successfully demonstrated legal ownership and occupation of the property, which he shares with his family, and found no justification for the senator’s claims or her decision to publicise the address.
The ongoing legal troubles involving Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan have become a subject of national attention, fuelling public debate about the balance between legislative conduct, the rights of elected officials, and the responsible use of digital platforms by those in public office.
