The suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central, has taken a new turn as she filed a contempt application against Senate President Godswill Akpabio for allegedly disobeying a valid court order.
In Suit No: FHC/ABJ/CS/384/2025, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan is listed as the plaintiff, while the Clerk of the National Assembly, the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the President of the Senate, and the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Code of Conduct, Senator Neda Imasuem, are named as the first to fourth defendants and alleged contemnors.
Justice Obiora Egwuatu had previously granted an ex-parte order on March 4, restraining the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions from conducting disciplinary proceedings against Akpoti-Uduaghan.
Justice Egwuatu, in the ex-parte application supported by a 25-paragraph affidavit filed by Natasha’s legal team on March 3, 2025, and argued on March 4, specifically said “an order of this honourable court is made declaring that any action taken during the pendency of his Suit is null, void and of no effect whatsoever.”
Despite the existence of the court order, which was widely publicised, the Senate proceeded to suspend Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan for six months over alleged misconduct.
The Senate also directed that her office be sealed and ordered her to hand over all Senate property in her possession to the Clerk of the National Assembly for the duration of the suspension.
The decision followed the adoption of a report by the Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions, chaired by Senator Neda Imasuen, representing Edo South.
The committee initiated disciplinary proceedings after the February 20 incident between Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan and Senate President Akpabio.
In response to the Senate’s disregard for the court order, Akpoti-Uduaghan, through her lawyers, filed a Form 48 Notice of Disobedience of Court Order at the Federal High Court in Abuja.
The application, brought under Section 72 of the Sheriff and Civil Process Act, 2004, and the inherent jurisdiction of the court, serves as a notice of the consequences of disobedience to the court order issued on March 4, 2025.
The court document, dated March 7 and signed by the registrar, was obtained by newsmen on Thursday.
It reads, “TAKE NOTICE that pursuant to Section 72 of the Sheriffs and Civil Processes Act, your wilful disobedience of the order of this Honourable Court, Coram: Hon. Justice O.A. Egwuatu J. made on 4th day of March 2025, renders you liable for contempt of court, for which you may be committed to prison unless you comply with the said order.
“TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that despite being duly served with the enrolled order on the 5th Day of March 2025, you, the Defendants/Contemnors, have deliberately and contumaciously disregarded its binding directive, proceeding with acts in flagrant defiance of the authority of this Honourable Court. A copy of the said order is annexed hereto for ease of reference.”
