Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, has filed contempt charges against Senate President Godswill Akpabio and others over her six-month suspension without pay from the Senate.
The contempt charges, outlined in Form 48 and filed before the Federal High Court in Abuja, also name the Clerk of the National Assembly and Senator Neda Imasuen, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Code of Conduct.
On March 4, Justice Obiora Egwuatu of the Federal High Court in Abuja ruled on an ex parte motion filed by Akpoti-Uduaghan’s legal team, led by Mr. Michael Numa (SAN), which restrained the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Code of Conduct from continuing any investigation into alleged misconduct following events in the Senate plenary session on February 20, 2025, and a subsequent referral on February 25, 2025.
The court order was to remain in effect until the hearing and determination of a motion for an interlocutory injunction.
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Additionally, the court instructed the defendants to explain why an injunction should not be issued to prevent further action on the investigation, which would impact Akpoti-Uduaghan’s privileges under the Constitution of Nigeria, Senate Standing Orders 2023, and the Legislative Houses (Powers and Privileges) Act.
The court also declared that any actions taken while the suit is pending would be deemed null and void.
It allowed Akpoti-Uduaghan to serve the originating summons and related documents to the defendants via substituted means, such as delivering them to the Clerk of the National Assembly or by posting them on National Assembly premises and publishing them in two national newspapers.
However, despite the court’s ruling, the Senate proceeded with her suspension just two days later. In response, Senate President Akpabio challenged the court’s authority to interfere in the Senate’s internal matters, arguing that the court lacked jurisdiction.
In her contempt charges, Akpoti-Uduaghan argued that her suspension was a willful violation of the court’s March 4 order.
The charges state that the defendants “deliberately and contemptuously ignored” the court’s directive and continued their actions in defiance of the court’s authority.
The court, in a notice of disobedience signed by its Registrar, informed the defendants of their willful disregard for the court’s order and warned that Akpabio, Senator Imasuen, and the Clerk of the National Assembly could face contempt charges, including possible imprisonment.
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