Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan appeared at the Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday for the hearing of contempt claims filed by and against Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
The presiding judge, Justice Binta Nyako, scheduled the hearing to address Akpabio’s allegation that Akpoti-Uduaghan recently disobeyed a court order. In a counter-motion, Akpoti-Uduaghan had earlier filed her own contempt suit against Akpabio, the Senate, and others, accusing them of violating an existing court order in her favor.
Tensions between both lawmakers have been ongoing since Akpoti-Uduaghan accused the Senate President of sexual harassment. The Kogi senator subsequently obtained a restraining order from the Federal High Court, barring the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions from investigating her.
However, in defiance of the court order, the Senate suspended Akpoti-Uduaghan on March 6 for alleged gross misconduct, escalating the legal confrontation.
The court is expected to rule on both contempt claims as the legal battle intensifies, highlighting the growing friction within Nigeria’s legislative leadership.
