The Federal High Court in Abuja has convicted suspended Kogi Central Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan of contempt for violating a court order through a satirical Facebook post directed at Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
Justice Binta Nyako ruled on Friday that Akpoti-Uduaghan’s April 7 Facebook publication – framed as an apology to Akpabio – constituted a mockery of the court’s gag order prohibiting public commentary on the case.
“The apology published on her Facebook page is a clear violation and mockery of this court’s order restraining parties from making public statements,” Justice Nyako stated in her judgment.
The court imposed the following sanctions: Akpoti-Uduaghan must publish a proper apology in two national newspapers and on her Facebook page within seven days; She is to pay a N5 million fine for civil contempt.
The contempt charge stemmed from an ongoing legal dispute between the senator and Akpabio. Justice Nyako emphasized that the suspended lawmaker’s social media post deliberately flouted judicial authority despite being legally represented.
This development comes amid Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension from legislative activities, though the contempt ruling is unrelated to those proceedings.
The senator’s legal team has yet to indicate whether they will appeal the ruling.
