In a dramatic legal showdown that has gripped national attention, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan appeared at the Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday, ready to confront a contempt claim filed against her by Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
The high-profile hearing, presided over by Justice Binta Nyako, is the latest development in an escalating feud between two prominent figures in Nigeria’s legislative arm. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) confirmed that today’s proceedings are centered on Akpabio’s allegation that Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan defied a standing court order—a charge that could carry serious legal and political consequences.
However, in a twist that underscores the deepening complexity of the dispute, the court will also hear a separate contempt application filed by Akpoti-Uduaghan against Akpabio, the Nigerian Senate, and other involved parties. Her petition alleges that they disobeyed an earlier judicial directive barring any disciplinary actions against her.
The roots of this legal battle stretch back to a heated altercation during a Senate plenary session in February, which reportedly began over a disagreement involving seating arrangements. What started as a parliamentary tussle soon spiraled into a full-blown scandal, with Akpoti-Uduaghan later accusing the Senate President of sexual harassment during a televised interview.
Determined to protect her integrity and legislative mandate, the senator representing Kogi Central turned to the judiciary. She filed for an interim injunction at the Federal High Court, requesting that the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions be barred from launching any probe into her alleged misconduct.
Responding to her ex parte motion, the court granted a restraining order on March 4, instructing the Senate to halt any disciplinary proceedings. But in a surprising and controversial move just two days later—on March 6—the Senate defied the order and handed Akpoti-Uduaghan a suspension. The basis for the punitive action, they claimed, stemmed from a committee report that accused her of “gross misconduct.”
Today’s court session is expected to set a precedent on the limits of legislative power versus judicial authority, with both sides accusing each other of disrespecting the rule of law.
As the legal fireworks unfold, political analysts and civil society observers are closely watching how the judiciary will navigate this faceoff between two titans of Nigeria’s legislative chamber—one that pits the rising influence of a vocal female lawmaker against the institutional power of the Senate’s top brass.
The outcome may not only determine Akpoti-Uduaghan’s political future but also redefine the boundaries of accountability, gender dynamics, and legal compliance within Nigeria’s democratic institutions.
