SUSPENDED SENATOR NATASHA AKPOTI-UDUAGHAN CHALLENGES SENATE SUSPENSION IN COURT
Suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan on Tuesday, May 13, appeared before the Federal High Court in Abuja as legal proceedings commenced on her suit challenging the six-month suspension handed to her by the Senate on March 6.
The Senate had suspended Akpoti-Uduaghan for alleged misconduct, shortly after she accused Senate President Godswill Akpabio of sexual harassment—an allegation he has publicly denied.
In her suit, Akpoti-Uduaghan joined the National Assembly, the Senate, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, and Senator Neda Imasuen, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions, as defendants.
The case, now before Justice Binta Nyako following Justice Obiora Egwuatu’s withdrawal, resumed on Monday, May 12. Her counsel, Jibrin Okutekpa (SAN), informed the court that the plaintiff had submitted all relevant documents in compliance with the court’s directive at the previous sitting.
Counsel to the Senate, Paul Daudu (SAN), and to the Senate President, Ekwo Ejembi, confirmed their filings as well but raised a motion accusing Akpoti-Uduaghan of contempt of court. They cited a Facebook post made on March 27—where the senator published a satirical letter of apology to the Senate President, which also appeared in national dailies—as a breach of an existing court order barring public commentary on the matter.
Akpoti-Uduaghan’s legal team, led by Michael Numan (SAN), dismissed the allegations, arguing that the statement in question had no direct link to the plaintiff and did not constitute a breach of any court directive.
Senate President’s counsel, Ejembi, reiterated his position in a motion filed May 5, stating that the viral post mocked the authority of the court.
In her counter-affidavit, Akpoti-Uduaghan accused the Senate President of seeking to suppress her constitutional right to free expression. She maintained that her satirical letter—focused on the sexual harassment allegations—was distinct from the legal question before the court, which centers on the legality of her suspension from the Senate.
Justice Binta Nyako adjourned the matter to a future date for further hearing.
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