“No Trial Without Respect for the Court”—Natasha vs Akpabio Case Halts Over Contempt Clash
By: IDNN NewsDesk
The Federal High Court in Abuja has put a hold on the sexual harassment case filed by suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan against Senate President Godswill Akpabio, citing an alleged breach of a standing court gag order.
“I cannot proceed until I determine whether this court has been disrespected,” declared Justice Binta Nyako on Monday.
At the center of the storm? A Facebook post titled “Satirical Apology”—allegedly published by Natasha—mocking the Senate and court process. The post triggered a fresh round of legal warfare just as both parties were set for substantive hearing.
The Contempt Battle Begins
Akpabio’s legal team, led by Paul Daudu (SAN) and Ekoh Ejembi (SAN), submitted the post and its media coverage as proof that the court’s March 4 gag order had been violated.
“It mocks this court and its integrity,” Daudu told the judge.
“This is not free speech. This is contempt.”
Natasha’s Camp Fires Back
Natasha’s counsel, Jibrin Okutekpa (SAN), countered aggressively, calling the accusation a diversion tactic.
“That post has no bearing on the court matter. My client has been out of the National Assembly for 68 days. We ask for expeditious hearing,” he said.
Okutekpa also raised a separate contempt claim against the Senate, accusing them of disobeying a prior court order by suspending Natasha on March 6, despite an injunction restraining disciplinary action.
The Bigger Picture
The case stems from a February 20 blowup on the Senate floor, where Akpoti-Uduaghan clashed with Akpabio.
She later alleged sexual harassment, then filed an ex parte motion (FHC/ABJ/CS/384/2025), naming:
-
The Clerk of the National Assembly
-
The Senate
-
Senate President Akpabio
-
Senator Nedamwen Imasuen (Ethics Committee Chair)
What The Judge Said
Justice Nyako made it clear that until the contempt charges are addressed, the core case will remain frozen.
“If any party disrespects this court, I won’t hear them,” she said.
“If I must summon every single litigant, I will. Let everyone calm down.”
She adjourned the case to May 13, to rule on both contempt claims before moving to substantive issues.
