Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central, has initiated legal action against Senate President Godswill Akpabio following her six-month suspension from the Senate.
She filed a contempt suit at the Federal High Court in Abuja, naming Akpabio, the Clerk of the National Assembly, and the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Code of Conduct, Senator Neda Imasuem, as respondents.
Akpoti-Uduaghan contends that her suspension violates a court order issued on March 4, which restrained the Senate from taking punitive action against her.
A court notice, signed by the Registrar and issued under Section 72 of the Sheriff and Civil Process Act 2004, warned that Akpabio, Imasuem, and the Clerk of the National Assembly could face contempt charges, which carry the risk of imprisonment.
Documents obtained by Vanguard indicate that the court order was formally served on the defendants on March 5.
However, they allegedly ignored the directive and proceeded with actions that defied the court’s authority.
Justice Obiora Egwuatu had earlier issued an interim injunction, preventing the Senate Committee on Ethics from investigating Akpoti-Uduaghan over incidents that took place during a Senate session on February 20, 2025, which led to her suspension.
The court also instructed the Senate leadership to justify why an interlocutory injunction should not be granted to prevent further disciplinary measures against her.
Additionally, the judge ruled that any decisions taken against her while the case remains unresolved are legally void.
The senator was granted permission to serve court documents through alternative methods, including delivery to the Clerk, pasting notices within the National Assembly, or publishing them in two newspapers.
In response, Akpabio has challenged the court’s jurisdiction, asserting that the judiciary lacks the power to interfere in Senate affairs. The court has scheduled the next hearing for March 25.