Full Breakdown: Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan Battles Senate Suspension in Court, Judgment Set for June 27

 

On Tuesday, May 13, 2025, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan made a bold appearance at the Federal High Court in Abuja as the legal drama surrounding her controversial suspension from the Nigerian Senate took center stage once again. The embattled senator, who represents Kogi Central, is currently challenging the Senate’s decision to suspend her for six months over allegations of misconduct.

To give some background, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended by the Senate on March 6, 2025, shortly after she publicly accused the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, of sexual harassment—a claim Akpabio vehemently denied. The Senate claimed her suspension was based on “misconduct,” particularly for disrupting Senate proceedings and making the allegations on live television. But Senator Natasha believes the move was more of a political retaliation than a disciplinary action.

In her legal suit filed before the Federal High Court, she named several key figures and institutions as defendants. These include the National Assembly, the Senate, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, and Senator Neda Imasuen, who chairs the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Code of Conduct.

The case, initially assigned to Justice Obiorah Egwuatu, was later reassigned to Justice Binta Nyako after Egwuatu withdrew from the matter for undisclosed reasons. On Monday, May 12, the hearing resumed, with lawyers for both parties presenting updates and fresh motions.

What Happened in Court?

At the hearing, Senator Natasha’s lawyer, Jibrin Okutekpa (SAN), informed the court that his client had complied fully with the court’s directives from the previous session by filing all relevant documents required to argue her case.

On the other side, Paul Daudu (SAN), counsel for the Senate, and Ekwo Ejembi, representing Senate President Akpabio, also confirmed that they had submitted their own documents. However, they took the opportunity to raise a new issue: a motion for disobedience of a court order allegedly committed by Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan.

The two lawyers argued that Senator Natasha had violated the court’s order—which barred all parties from making public statements on the ongoing case—by posting a satirical letter of apology addressed to the Senate President on her Facebook page on March 27. The same letter was also published in some national newspapers.

They claimed this was a clear act of mockery and a direct disregard for the authority of the court. But Natasha’s legal team pushed back strongly.

“That Statement Has Nothing to Do With Her”

Michael Numa (SAN), another senior lawyer representing Senator Natasha, confirmed to the court that he had received the motion accusing his client of contempt. He didn’t stop there—he reminded the court that Senator Natasha had also filed her own contempt application against the Senate President and other defendants for allegedly violating earlier court orders that were meant to protect her legal rights.

Numa argued that the viral satirical letter did not originate from his client and had no direct connection with her. In his words, “the alleged statement credited to the plaintiff has no connection with her, adding also that the alleged contemptuous statement has no nexus with the plaintiff.”

However, Eko Ejembi Eko, representing Senate President Akpabio, insisted otherwise. He told the court that the Facebook post in question was “a direct mockery of the order of the court” and should not be taken lightly.

Senator Natasha Responds: "I'm Being Silenced"

In her counter-affidavit, Senator Natasha fiercely defended herself. She accused Senate President Godswill Akpabio of attempting to curb her constitutional right to free speech. She explained that the satirical letter she shared was not in breach of the court’s directive, because the order only restricted media engagements about the ongoing court case—not her personal experiences or opinions on unrelated matters.

She clarified that the contents of the letter were strictly related to her previous sexual harassment allegations, not the current legal issue over her suspension. In her view, this meant she did not violate any court order.

“While the content of her viral letter centred around her sexual harassment allegations against the Senate President, the matter before the court was her alleged unlawful suspension from the Senate,” she stated clearly in her affidavit.

Key Legal Arguments and Positions

On Tuesday, May 13, the court resumed for oral arguments. Natasha’s lead counsel, Michael Numa (SAN), formally adopted his written submissions and asked the court to dismiss all preliminary objections filed by the defendants. He urged the court to grant all the reliefs being sought by his client without restrictions and to throw out the contempt charges filed against her.

He argued that the court order banning media interviews did not cover Natasha’s public commentary on her sexual harassment claims, and that the Senate had acted in bad faith by going ahead with her suspension despite a restraining order previously issued by Justice Obiorah Egwuatu.

On the other side, Charles Yoila, representing the Clerk of the National Assembly, questioned whether the court even had the jurisdiction to hear the case and urged the court to dismiss the suit entirely.

Other heavyweight lawyers in the courtroom, including Chikasolu Ojukwu (SAN) and J. Daudu (SAN) for the Senate, supported this objection. They also insisted that Senator Natasha had clearly violated the court’s gag order and therefore had no moral ground to be complaining about contempt.

Kehinde Ogunwumiju (SAN), representing Senate President Akpabio, echoed the same points. He went a step further by asking the court to strike out the satirical letter as evidence. He even described the entire matter as “academic,” arguing that it no longer carried any practical consequence.

Lawyers representing Senator Neda Imasuen, the Chairman of the Senate Ethics Committee, also sided with the defendants and asked for the suit to be thrown out.

What Happens Next?

After listening to all the arguments, Justice Binta Nyako made it clear that her court will first decide on the contempt issues raised by both sides. Only after resolving those will the court proceed to deliver judgment on the main suit.

The judge also warned that if the preliminary objections raised by the defendants are upheld, the entire case will be dismissed immediately without moving to the substantive issues.

Justice Nyako then adjourned the matter to June 27, 2025, for final judgment.

This case is likely to be one of the most closely watched legal battles involving a sitting senator in recent times, especially because of the serious allegations involved and the constitutional questions it raises around legislative immunity, freedom of speech, and judicial authority.

Stay tuned to NaijaRush for full coverage of the final judgment on June 27.