The Federal High Court in Abuja will today resume hearing in the suit filed by suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (Kogi Central) against the Senate, focusing on contempt proceedings and other related applications.
The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/384/2025, lists the Clerk of the National Assembly, the Senate, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, and the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Code of Conduct, Senator Neda Imasuen, as defendants.
Yesterday, the case came up before Justice Binta Nyako following the withdrawal of Justice Obiorah Egwuatu.
Representing Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, Jibrin Okutekpa (SAN) informed the court that the plaintiff had complied with previous directives and submitted all necessary documents for the proceedings.
Counsel to the Senate, Paul Daudu (SAN), and counsel to the Senate President, Ekwo Ejembi Ekwo, both confirmed filing their own documents.
However, they also alerted the court to a pending motion alleging disobedience of a court order by the plaintiff.
They claimed that Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan violated court orders on March 27, 2025, by publishing a satirical letter of apology addressed to the Senate President on her Facebook page and in national newspapers.
Akpoti-Uduaghan’s lawyer, Michael Numan (SAN), acknowledged receipt of the motion but insisted that “the statement credited to the plaintiff had no connection with her.” He also reminded the court that the plaintiff had earlier filed a motion accusing the defendants of contempt.
Meanwhile, Senate President Akpabio denied claims that senior lawyers Olisa Agbakoba (SAN) and Monday Ubani (SAN) are part of his legal team in the case.
“They are not involved in this defence,” he stated through his counsel.
Okutekpa, speaking for the plaintiff, also accused the respondents of disobeying court orders and urged the judge to give priority to the contempt proceedings initiated against them.
Justice Nyako, agreeing that the contempt issue is central to the matter, ruled that all applications, including those on alleged disobedience of court orders, will be heard together today, Tuesday, May 13, 2025, at noon.
