The Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday found suspended Kogi Central lawmaker, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, guilty of contempt for violating a court order related to ongoing proceedings involving Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
Delivering the ruling, Justice Binta Nyako held that Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan defied a gag order by publishing what the court described as a “satirical apology” to Senator Akpabio on her Facebook page on April 7.
The court determined that the post mocked the judicial process and undermined the authority of its directive restricting public commentary on the matter.
As a consequence, Justice Nyako ordered Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan to issue a formal apology to the court within seven days. The apology must be published in two national newspapers and reposted on her Facebook page. Additionally, the court imposed a N5 million fine, clarifying that the penalty was issued in a civil contempt proceeding.
Although the contempt action was initiated by Senator Akpabio, the court declined to grant any further relief in his favour.
Meanwhile, the court has moved forward with delivering judgment on Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suit challenging her six-month suspension from the Senate.
More details to follow.
