Suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has appeared before the Federal High Court in Abuja as legal proceedings commenced in her lawsuit challenging her suspension by the Nigerian Senate over alleged misconduct.
The case, now being handled by Justice Binta Nyako following the withdrawal of Justice Obiorah Egwuatu, featured heated exchanges over motions filed by both the plaintiff and the defence. Central to the matter are accusations of contempt of court and disputes over the right to free speech.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, represented by Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Jibrin Okutekpa, informed the court that her legal team had complied with all prior directives and submitted the necessary filings. On the other side, the Senate’s legal team—led by Paul Daudu (SAN) and joined by Ekwo Ejembi representing Senate President Godswill Akpabio—presented motions alleging that the senator had violated a court order issued on March 27.
The defence pointed to a satirical apology letter posted by the senator on Facebook and published in national newspapers, claiming it mocked the court’s instruction barring parties from making public comments on the case. The letter, addressed to Senate President Akpabio, was described by the defence as contemptuous and disrespectful to the court process.
Responding, co-counsel for the plaintiff, Michael Numan (SAN), denied that the post constituted a breach of any order, arguing that it was neither authored nor endorsed by his client. He further reminded the court that a motion had also been filed earlier against the defendants for allegedly violating a similar order, accusing them of double standards.
In her counter-affidavit, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan rejected claims that her actions disrespected the court, asserting that the satirical post did not infringe any legal boundary. She accused Senate President Akpabio of seeking to silence her and suppress her constitutional right to free speech. The senator also emphasized that the contested social media post touched on her earlier allegations of sexual harassment against Akpabio, and bore no connection to the legal issue before the court, which centers on the legality of her suspension from the Senate.
The suit lists the National Assembly, the Senate, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, and Senator Neda Imasuen—Chairman of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Code of Conduct—as co-defendants.
The case is seen as a major test of legislative privilege, freedom of expression, and due process within Nigeria’s democratic system, as it unfolds under intense public scrutiny.
