Get Guardian on GoogleThe Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday found Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central, guilty of contempt over a satirical post she made in defiance of a court order.
Justice Binta Nyako, who delivered the ruling, held that the senator violated the court’s directive by posting what was described as a mock apology to Senate President Godswill Akpabio on her Facebook page on April 7. The court considered the post a breach of a gag order it had earlier placed on the parties involved in an ongoing matter.
As part of the ruling, the court ordered Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan to publish a formal apology in two national newspapers within seven days. She is also required to issue the same apology on her Facebook page. In addition, the court imposed a ₦5 million fine on the lawmaker, classifying her action as contempt in a civil proceeding.
Although the contempt proceedings were initiated by Senator Akpabio, the court declined to make any further orders in his favour.
The ruling precedes a judgment yet to be delivered in a separate suit filed by Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, in which she is challenging her six-month suspension from the Senate.
Further details are expected following the court’s full judgment on the suspension case.
