Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has initiated contempt proceedings against key figures in the Nigerian Senate, including Senate President Godswill Akpabio, alleging non-compliance with a court order.
The Federal High Court in Abuja issued a notice of disobedience, warning that Akpabio, the Clerk of the National Assembly, and the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Code of Conduct, Senator Neda Imasuem, could face imprisonment for their alleged defiance.
The court’s notice, issued pursuant to Section 72 of the Sheriffs and Civil Processes Act, highlighted that the defendants were duly served with the enrolled order on March 5, 2025, yet have “deliberately and contumaciously disregarded its binding directive, proceeding with acts in flagrant defiance of the authority of this Honourable Court.”
The enrolled order, dated March 4, 2025, granted Akpoti-Uduaghan leave to serve the Senate with originating summons through substituted means.
It also issued an interim injunction restraining the Senate’s Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Code of Conduct from proceeding with an investigation against her for alleged misconduct related to events at the Senate plenary on February 20, 2025.
The court directed the defendants to show cause why an interlocutory injunction should not be granted, restraining them from proceeding with the investigation without affecting her privileges as stipulated in the Nigerian Constitution, the Senate Standing Orders 2023, and the Legislative Houses (Powers and Privileges) Act.
Despite these directives, the defendants have allegedly continued their actions, prompting the court to caution that such disobedience renders them liable for contempt, which may result in imprisonment unless they comply with the order.
This development adds to the ongoing tensions within the Nigerian Senate, following Akpoti-Uduaghan’s recent suspension for alleged misconduct, a move she contends is linked to her previous allegations of sexual harassment against Akpabio.
The Senate maintains that her suspension is unrelated to those allegations.
