Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed 27 June 2025 for the final judgement in the case filed by suspended Kogi Central Senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who is challenging her removal from the Senate.
Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended in March following allegations of gross misconduct. She argues that the action was unjust, procedurally flawed, and politically motivated, allegedly driven by Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
The lawsuit names the National Assembly, the Senate, Senate President Akpabio, and Senator Neda Imasuen, Chair of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Code of Conduct, as defendants.
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Originally assigned to Justice Obiora Egwuatu, the case was reassigned to Justice Nyako after Justice Egwuatu recused himself.
At Monday’s hearing, Akpoti-Uduaghan’s lead counsel, Jibrin Okutekpa (SAN), informed the court that the plaintiff had complied with the directive to submit all necessary documentation. Legal representatives for the defendants, Paul Daudu and Ekwo Ejembi, confirmed the same.
However, the defence raised a contempt of court allegation against Akpoti-Uduaghan. They cited a satirical apology she allegedly posted on Facebook on 27 March, addressed to the Senate President, which they argued mocked the court’s authority. The post was also said to have been published in several newspapers in breach of a court order restraining media commentary on the case.
Ejembi, counsel to the Senate President, stated: “We are alleging that the Facebook post made by the plaintiff is a mockery of the court’s proceedings. We have also tendered a newspaper report as evidence of this violation.”
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In response, Michael Numan, another lawyer on Akpoti-Uduaghan’s legal team, denied the accusation, stating that the post had no connection to the ongoing court case and should not be considered contemptuous. He further reminded the court that the plaintiff had earlier filed a separate contempt application against the defendants for breaching court orders.
Justice Nyako responded by emphasising that the issue of contempt must be resolved before proceeding to judgement on the substantive matter:
“I cannot proceed with this matter until I conclude on the issue of contempt. If there is contempt, I have to hear and determine it first.”
The court directed that any contempt motions should be formally presented before the scheduled ruling on 27 June.
