Suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan appeared before the Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday as legal proceedings resumed in her suit challenging the Senate’s decision to suspend her over alleged misconduct.
Credit: NAN
The court session, now before Justice Binta Nyako after Justice Obiorah Egwuatu recused himself, addressed a series of motions from both the plaintiff and the defence, including allegations of contempt of court and violation of free speech rights.
Akpoti-Uduaghan’s legal team, led by Jibrin Okutekpa (SAN), confirmed they had filed all necessary documents in line with the court’s prior directive. Similarly, Paul Daudu (SAN) for the Senate and Ekwo Ejembi for Senate President Godswill Akpabio submitted their filings and drew the court’s attention to a motion alleging that the senator had disobeyed a court order.
According to the defence, the senator allegedly violated the order on March 27 by posting a satirical letter of apology to Akpabio on Facebook and publishing it in national dailies—actions they claim mocked the court’s restrictions on public commentary.
In response, Michael Numan (SAN), also representing the plaintiff, dismissed the allegations, saying the controversial post was not authored by his client and held no relevance to the ongoing legal matter. He also reminded the court of an earlier motion filed against the defendants for alleged disobedience of a similar court order.
In a counter-affidavit, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan insisted that her letter did not breach any court order, accusing Senate President Akpabio of attempting to suppress her right to free speech. She maintained that the post in question, which referenced her sexual harassment claims against Akpabio, was unrelated to the case before the court, which concerns her allegedly unlawful suspension from the Senate.
The senator has joined the National Assembly, the Senate, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, and Senator Neda Imasuen, Chair of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Code of Conduct, as co-defendants in the suit.
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