The political and legal battle between Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (Kogi Central) and Senate President Godswill Akpabio has deepened, as the Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday fined the senator ₦5 million for contempt of court.
Presiding Judge, Justice Binta Nyako, ruled that Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan violated an earlier court order when she made a “satirical apology” directed at Akpabio in a Facebook post on April 27, 2025. The post, which sparked widespread reactions online, was seen as a breach of the court’s directive barring all parties from commenting publicly or on social media about the ongoing suspension suit.
Akpabio Files Contempt Charge
The contempt application was filed by Senate President Akpabio, who argued that Akpoti-Uduaghan’s post undermined the court’s authority. Although her lawyers insisted the post referenced unrelated sexual harassment allegations and not the suspension case, Justice Nyako disagreed. After reviewing the evidence, the court concluded that the post was directly tied to the legal matter at hand.
Court Orders Public Apology
In addition to the fine, the court ordered Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan to publish a formal apology in two national newspapers and on her Facebook page within seven days.
This ruling adds to the senator’s growing list of legal troubles. She is also facing two separate cases involving cybercrime and defamation in Abuja courts.
Longstanding Dispute
Tensions between Akpoti-Uduaghan and Akpabio date back months, culminating in her suspension from the Senate on March 6, 2025, following her accusations of sexual harassment and abuse of office against the Senate President. The conflict reportedly began with a dispute over seating arrangements during a plenary session on February 20.
Akpabio has denied all allegations and has since been sued for ₦100 billion in damages by the embattled senator. Meanwhile, the Senate’s disciplinary committee—chaired by Akpabio—dismissed her petition on procedural grounds, but she re-submitted it the next day.
This incident marks yet another chapter in the strained relationship between the two lawmakers. In 2024, Akpabio issued an apology to Akpoti-Uduaghan over a controversial remark he made about her during a Senate session.
