Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan appeared before the Federal High Court in Abuja on May 13, 2025, in a legal battle concerning her suspension from the Senate. The suspension stems from allegations of misconduct, a charge Akpoti-Uduaghan fiercely disputes. She has filed a suit challenging the Senate’s decision to suspend her, arguing that her rights were violated and that the suspension was unjust.
In her court documents, Akpoti-Uduaghan joined the National Assembly, the Senate, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, and Senator Neda Imasuem, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Code of Conduct, as defendants. This suit was reassigned to Justice Binta Nyako after the withdrawal of Justice Obiorah Egwuatu from the case.
At the hearing, Akpoti-Uduaghan’s counsel, Jibrin Okutekpa (SAN), informed the court that all documents required for the case had been filed as directed in the previous hearing. However, the Senate’s legal team, led by Paul Daudu (SAN) and Ekwo Ejembi, raised concerns about a motion for contempt filed against the suspended senator. The motion arose from an incident on March 27, 2025, when Akpoti-Uduaghan allegedly posted a satirical letter of apology to Senate President Akpabio on her Facebook page and published it in national newspapers, violating an order that parties before the court refrain from public statements.
In response, Akpoti-Uduaghan’s lawyer, Michael Numan (SAN), denied the allegations, claiming that the satirical post had no connection to the court order. He maintained that the content of the post was a response to allegations of sexual harassment she made against the Senate President, not related to the legal proceedings over her suspension.
Meanwhile, Akpoti-Uduaghan, in her counter-affidavit, asserted that the Senate President was attempting to suppress her right to free speech. She maintained that the Facebook post, which was widely shared, did not breach any court order. Akpoti-Uduaghan further emphasized that the case before the court focused solely on the alleged unlawful suspension, not the ongoing allegations against Akpabio.
The case has been adjourned to Thursday, May 15, 2025, for a ruling on the formal bail application.
