Suspended Senator for Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has asked the Federal High Court in Abuja to dismiss a motion seeking to compel her to delete a satirical apology she published on social media, which Senate President Godswill Akpabio claims violates a court order.
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In a counter-affidavit filed by her legal team, led by Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Jubril Okutepa, Akpoti-Uduaghan argued that her post did not breach any standing court order and was instead a form of protest against what she described as her unjust suspension from the Senate.
The motion, filed by Akpabio’s legal team on May 5 and led by Kehinde Ogunwumiju (SAN), contends that the April 27 Facebook post by the suspended senator mocked the Senate President’s leadership style and defied a court directive issued earlier in the case.
Justice Binta Nyako, who is presiding over the matter, had on April 4 ordered all parties involved in the lawsuit to refrain from making public statements, granting press interviews, or posting on social media concerning the ongoing case, especially the sexual harassment allegations raised during Senate proceedings.
Despite this order, Akpoti-Uduaghan posted what she described as a “satirical apology” on Facebook. In the post, she ironically “apologised” for maintaining “dignity and self-respect” in a Senate chamber where, she implied, success was determined by sycophancy rather than merit.
Akpabio’s legal team has asked the court to direct Akpoti-Uduaghan to delete the post from all platforms, issue a formal written apology, and publish it in two national dailies along with a sworn affidavit of compliance.
However, Akpoti-Uduaghan’s legal team said the motion is “borne of malice” and a clear attempt to “harass, intimidate, and scandalise” their client for exercising her constitutional rights.
“The satire was a legitimate expression of protest,” the affidavit reads, “not a violation of the court’s order.”
The court has fixed May 12 to hear arguments on the motion and Akpoti-Uduaghan’s response.
The legal dispute stems from a dramatic session of the Senate in March, which culminated in Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension following a heated argument over seating arrangements. Just minutes before her suspension, the Kogi senator had accused Senate President Akpabio of sexual harassment—a claim that sparked intense controversy and further legal wrangling.
Since then, both lawmakers have filed a series of lawsuits against each other.
Akpoti-Uduaghan is seeking ₦100 billion in general damages and ₦300 million in legal costs in a defamation suit against Akpabio and his aide, Mfon Patrick, who allegedly accused her of lacking legislative competence and prioritising her appearance.
Separately, Ekaette Akpabio, the wife of the Senate President, has filed two defamation suits against Akpoti-Uduaghan, demanding ₦350 billion in damages for alleged reputational harm.
Meanwhile, the suspended senator is also challenging the legality of her suspension in another ongoing case before the Federal High Court.
As the legal battles escalate, the court’s ruling on whether Akpoti-Uduaghan must retract her viral satirical post is being closely watched as a test of the limits of political expression during ongoing litigation.
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