The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Friday found the suspended senator representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, guilty of contempt over a satirical apology she posted on her Facebook page on April 27.
While delivering judgement in Natasha’s petition challenging her suspension, Justice Binta Nyako began by addressing the Senate President’s contempt application.
Akpabio’s motion disputed the senator’s social media post, saying that it violated a previous court order prohibiting all parties from commenting on the case in the press or making social media posts about it.
Natasha’s counsel contended that the post was unrelated to the court’s decision suspending her but rather linked to a distinct problem involving sexual harassment charges against the third respondent (Akpabio).
However, Justice Nyako determined that after analysing the post and the application filed by the third respondent, she was satisfied that it was related to the suspension matter before the court and so found the plaintiff guilty of contempt.
The judge ordered Natasha to issue an apology in two national dailies and on her Facebook page within seven days. She also levied a fine of ₦5 million.
Details later…
