Suspended Senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has filed an appeal at the Court of Appeal in Abuja to challenge a recent court ruling that found her guilty of contempt and fined her ₦5 million.
The judgment, delivered by Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court on July 4, 2025, also ordered Akpoti-Uduaghan to publicly apologise to the Senate in two national newspapers and on Facebook over a controversial post she made on April 27.
The post, which referenced allegations of sexual harassment, was seen by the court as violating an earlier order restraining all parties from making public comments on the case.
However, the senator, through a team of senior lawyers including Prof. Roland Otaru, SAN, and J.S. Okutepa, SAN, argued that the court lacked the legal power to punish her for contempt allegedly committed outside the courtroom. They insisted that the proper legal process was not followed.
Her legal team also faulted the absence of key court documents—Forms 48 and 49—required under Nigerian law for contempt proceedings. They added that the fine was excessive and not even requested in the original motion.
Akpoti-Uduaghan is asking the Appeal Court to void the ruling, cancel the fine, and declare her Facebook post non-contemptuous. She is also challenging her referral to the Senate Ethics Committee and her subsequent suspension.
Respondents in the case include the Clerk of the National Assembly, the Senate, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, and Senator Neda Imasuen. A hearing date for the appeal is yet to be fixed.