THE FEDERAL High Court in Abuja is set to hear a contempt charge filed by Senate President Godswill Akpabio against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan over an alleged social media post violating a court order.
Justice Binta Nyako adjourned the matter to Tuesday noon and indicated that she would also hear an earlier contempt charge filed by Akpoti-Uduaghan against Akpabio, the Senate, and others for alleged disobedience to a previous court order.
“I want a copy of the Senate rules as well. I will take you tomorrow. I am going to clear the diary,” Justice Nyako stated.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that on April 4, Justice Nyako had restrained all parties in the suit filed by Akpoti-Uduaghan from granting media interviews or making social media posts regarding the case.
This followed a complaint by Akpabio’s lawyer, Kehinde Ogunwumiju (SAN), who alleged that Akpoti-Uduaghan had been granting press interviews on issues related to the suit.
Akpabio subsequently filed a motion accusing her of violating the court order by posting a “satirical letter” on her Facebook page.
Earlier, Akpoti-Uduaghan had filed a contempt charge against the defendants for suspending her, contrary to an order by Justice Obiora Egwuatu, which restrained them from taking any action pending the hearing and determination of the case.
The senator had sued the Clerk of the National Assembly, Akpabio, the Senate, and Senator Neda Imasuen (Chairman, Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Code of Conduct) as the 1st to 4th defendants, respectively. (NAN)
