Sen. Goodswill Akpabio, Senate president (R) and Sen. Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan
Cross-allegations of contempt involving Senate president, Godswill Akpabio, and Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, both of whom accuse each other of disobeying court directives regarding public commentary on an ongoing legal matter, will Tuesday (today) be heard by the Federal High Court in Abuja.
Justice Binta Nyako, presiding over the case, confirmed the hearing would take place at 12:00 p.m. She also requested a copy of the Senate rules, stating that both contempt applications; one filed by Akpabio and the other by Akpoti-Uduaghan, would be considered.
The dispute is sequel to a court order issued on April 4 by Justice Nyako, which barred all parties from making public or social media statements about the case while it remains in court.
Akpabio’s legal team, led by Senior Advocate of Nigeria Kehinde Ogunwumiju, alleged that Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan violated the court’s order by continuing to make public statements and sharing a “satirical letter” on her Facebook page. In reaction, Akpabio filed a contempt charge against her.
In a counter move, Akpoti-Uduaghan also filed a contempt case against Akpabio, the Senate, and other officials. She claimed that her suspension from Senate activities breached an earlier order issued by Justice Obiora Egwuatu, which instructed the defendants to maintain the status quo until the case was resolved.
Her suit names the Clerk of the National Assembly, Senate president, Akpabio, the Senate, Senator Neda Imasuen, and the Senate committee on Ethics, Privileges and Code of Conduct as defendants.
The case has attracted attention due to its constitutional implications and the ongoing tensions between the involved lawmakers.
