Suspended Kogi Central Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has refuted allegations of contempt of court brought against her by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, asserting that her satirical apology did not breach any judicial directive and that Akpabio is infringing upon her constitutional right to freedom of expression.
In a counter-affidavit submitted to the Federal High Court in Abuja, Akpoti-Uduaghan contends that the interim order issued by Justice Binta Nyako on April 4, 2025—which restrained both parties from making public statements about the ongoing legal proceedings—was suspended on April 8, 2025. Therefore, she argues, her April 27 social media post, which included a satirical apology, did not violate any active court order.
“The interim order referenced by Senator Akpabio was suspended. Any claim that I acted in defiance of the court is misleading and intended to harass me,” she stated.
The contentious post featured a video where Akpoti-Uduaghan mockingly apologized for “the crime of maintaining dignity and self-respect,” a statement widely interpreted as a critique of Akpabio’s leadership.
Akpabio’s legal team, led by Senior Advocate of Nigeria Kehinde Ogunwumiju, has petitioned the court to compel Akpoti-Uduaghan to delete the post from all her social media platforms, issue a written apology in at least two national newspapers, and file an affidavit confirming compliance.
In response, Akpoti-Uduaghan’s legal counsel, Jubril Okutepa, argues that the motion is an attempt to “harass, intimidate, and scandalize” her for exercising her constitutionally guaranteed rights to free speech and fair hearing.
The legal dispute stems from a series of confrontations between the two senators, including Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension from the Senate following her accusations of sexual harassment against Akpabio—a claim he denies.
The court is scheduled to hear the case on May 12, 2025.
