SENATOR AKPOTI-UDUAGHAN FILES CONTEMPT CHARGES AGAINST SENATE PRESIDENT AKPABIO, OTHERS

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Following her six-month suspension by the Senate, the lawmaker representing Kogi Central, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has filed a contempt charge against Senate President Godswill Akpabio. Also named in the contempt charge, filed before the Federal High Court in Abuja, are the Clerk of the National Assembly and the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Code of Conduct, Senator Neda Imasuem.

Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan argues that her suspension constitutes willful disobedience of a standing court order issued on March 4 against the defendants.

As part of her application, the court issued a notice of disobedience of court order, signed by the Registrar pursuant to Section 72 of the Sheriff and Civil Process Act 2004. This notice highlighted the defendants’ deliberate disregard of the court’s order, warning that their disobedience could result in contempt of court charges and potential imprisonment.

According to the Form 48, a copy of which Vanguard reviewed on Thursday, the defendants “deliberately and contumaciously disregarded” the binding court directive and continued their actions in defiance of the court’s authority. The court order was reportedly served on the defendants on March 5.

The court had, following an ex-parte application filed by Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s legal team led by Mr. Michael Numa, SAN, issued an injunction restraining the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Code of Conduct from proceeding with its investigation into the senator’s alleged misconduct related to events during the February 20, 2025 plenary session. The court’s order was issued pending the hearing and determination of her Motion on Notice for an interlocutory injunction.

The court also directed the defendants to show cause why an interlocutory injunction should not be granted, preventing the Senate from continuing its investigation. Additionally, the court issued an order declaring that any actions taken during the pendency of the suit would be “null, void, and of no effect whatsoever.”

Justice Obiora Egwuatu permitted Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan to serve the court processes on the defendants through substituted means, including handing them to the Clerk of the National Assembly, posting them at the National Assembly premises, or publishing them in two national newspapers.

In response to the suit, Senate President Akpabio has challenged the court’s jurisdiction to intervene in Senate matters.

The court has adjourned the case until March 25 for further proceedings.