Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, has filed a contempt suit against Senate President Godswill Akpabio and others over her six-month suspension without pay from the Senate.
Others listed in the Form 48 contempt charge, filed before the Federal High Court in Abuja and sighted on Thursday, include the Clerk of the National Assembly and the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Code of Conduct, Senator Neda Imasuen.
Justice Obiora Egwuatu of the Federal High Court in Abuja, on March 4, while delivering a ruling on an ex parte motion filed by Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan through her legal team led by Michael Numa (SAN), restrained the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Code of Conduct from proceeding with any investigation against the plaintiff/applicant.
This investigation related to alleged misconduct following events that occurred during the Senate plenary session on February 20, 2025, and a subsequent referral on February 25, 2025.
The court’s order was to remain in effect pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice for an interlocutory injunction.
The court also issued an order directing the defendants to show cause why an interlocutory injunction should not be granted to restrain them from proceeding with the purported investigation against Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan for alleged misconduct.
The court declared that “any action taken during the pendency of the suit is null, void, and of no effect whatsoever.”
However, just two days after the court’s ruling, the Senate proceeded to suspend Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan for six months.
In response to the court order, the Senate President contested the power of the court to interfere in the internal affairs of the legislature, arguing that the court lacked jurisdiction to intervene in Senate matters.
In her contempt charge, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan argued that her suspension constituted willful disobedience to the subsisting court order issued on March 4, stating that an enrolled order of the interim injunction issued by Justice Egwuatu was duly served on the defendants on March 5.
According to Form 48, the defendants/contemnors “deliberately and contumaciously disregarded” the binding directive of the court and “proceeded with acts in flagrant defiance of the authority of the court.”
The court, in a notice of disobedience of a court order signed by its Registrar pursuant to Section 72 of the Sheriff and Civil Process Act 2004, informed the defendants/contemnors of their willful disobedience to the court order issued by Justice Obiora Egwuatu.
It warned that defying the subsisting order rendered Akpabio, Senator Imasuen, and the Clerk of the National Assembly liable for contempt of court, which could result in their committal to prison.
However, on Thursday, the Senate passed a vote of confidence in the leadership of Akpabio.
This was even as the upper chamber called for the understanding of Nigerians over recent happenings in the legislative arm.
The leader of the Senate, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, coming under a point of order, called lawmakers’ attention to how the controversy has been a distraction to the work of the Senate.
He said, “Up until the day we announced on this floor that we were referring a petition brought by Senator Yemi Adaramodu, with respect to Senator Natasha’s flagrant disobedience to the rules and regulations of this Senate and was referred to the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions, none of us was ever told about any sexual harassment.
“Secondly, I want to make it clear to the public that the issue before us, as of the time, we refer this matter to the ethics and privileges committee had nothing to do with sexual harassment.”
Continuing, Bamidele explained that those condemning Akpabio for being a judge in his case need to understand that the matter before the Senate and on which Akpabio presided over as president had to do with the motion referred to the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petition.
“While we appreciate the concern of the public on this matter, I just want to emphasize that it is important we seek the understanding of the general public that we were elected to serve the people and whatever we do in this chamber, we are guided by rules drawn pursuant to the Constitution of our country.
“It is not a rule of men, it is a rule of law. It is not about some men trying to gang up against a woman or anybody, it is about ensuring that our rules are respected. That is the only way we can guarantee peace, law and order,” he stated.
Bamidele also clarified the notion of critics that the Senate has no right to suspend any member.
The Senate leader argued that the Constitution provided for it.
He said, “It is very clear on our rules as to how far we can go and we are not of the opinion that we are in breach of either the Constitution or any of our rules. Section 60 of the Nigerian Constitution confers on this Parliament the constitutional rights to regulate its own procedure.
“Suspension, as far as we are concerned, is the only authority to the kind of anarchy that the nation witnessed in the past, where members of parliament had reasons to shout, to get physically engaged with each other, to engage in acts of violence, to tear each other’s clothes and do all kinds of things.
“Thank God we are moving away from that now. It shows that democracy is growing, nascent as it might appear to be. If people have issues with whether or not we can even suspend an erring legislator who has refused, or who is refusing to work within the rules, as I said, it’s for the court to continue to adjudicate.”
Akpabio’s endorsement comes barely 48 hours after Akpoti-Uduaghan escalated her dispute with Akpabio by presenting her case at a United Nations forum, International Parliamentary Union, alleging political victimization.
She was suspended on March 6 after a heated confrontation with the Senate leadership over a new seating arrangement, which she claimed was designed to undermine her.
Tensions intensified when Akpoti-Uduaghan, on national television, accused Akpabio of punishing her for rejecting his alleged sexual advances.
Speaking at the Women in Parliament session during the Inter-Parliamentary Union meeting at the United Nations in New York, Akpoti-Uduaghan called for international intervention to hold the Nigerian Senate accountable.
Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has filed a contempt suit against Senate President Godswill Akpabio and others over her six-month suspension without pay from the Senate. She decried the stringent conditions imposed on her, including the withdrawal of security, salary cuts, and a ban from the National Assembly.
Earlier, the Nigerian Senate defended its decision to suspend Akpoti-Uduaghan before the Inter-Parliamentary Union, stating that her suspension was due to gross misconduct and not related to allegations of sexual harassment. The Chairperson of the House Committee on Women Affairs and Social Development, Kafilat Ogbara, dismissed Akpoti-Uduaghan’s claims at a United Nations event, emphasizing the need for a thorough, impartial, and transparent investigation.
Ogbara highlighted Nigeria’s commitment to upholding women’s rights and combating gender-based violence through strong legal frameworks and institutions. She called for a fair and unbiased investigation into the allegations against Akpabio and stressed the importance of protecting all parties involved.
The Senate letter, read by Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, stated that Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended for gross misconduct and unruly behavior, not for allegations of sexual harassment. The Senate accused her of violating Senate rules, engaging in disruptive behavior, and making disrespectful remarks against the leadership.
Senator Solomon Adeola criticized Akpoti-Uduaghan, stating that she violated Senate Standing Orders and did not exhaust internal mechanisms to address her grievances. He also dismissed her sexual harassment allegations against Akpabio, emphasizing the need for concrete evidence.
Former Senate President Ahmad Lawan distanced himself from speculation that he backed Akpoti-Uduaghan’s allegations against Akpabio, stating that his intervention was purely procedural and aimed at upholding due process and the rule of law.
