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Abuja, The Federal High Court in Abuja, under the presiding judgment of Justice Binta Nyako, has found Senator Natasha Akpoti‑Uduaghan (Kogi Central) guilty of contempt of court. The ruling stems from her April 27 satirical apology to Senate President Godswill Akpabio, which the court said violated its gag order in an ongoing legal dispute
What the Court Decided
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The offence was a direct breach of a court-issued gag order dating to April 4, 2025, which barred both sides from commenting publicly on the matter .
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Instead of a prison sentence, Natasha received a civil contempt penalty. She was ordered to:
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Pay a ₦5 million fine to the Federal Government within seven days.
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Publish a formal apology in two national newspapers and on her Facebook page
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Context of the Contempt Ruling
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The satirical apology prank was directly tied to her suspension from the Senate—a move widely seen as a retaliation for her sexual harassment allegations against Senate President Akpabio
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Her 6‑month suspension, ordered by the Senate, is also facing legal scrutiny, with the court previously affirming Senate disciplinary powers but urging a review of the suspension’s length
Pending Legal Questions
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The contempt judgment precedes the court’s deeper review of the legitimacy and fairness of her Senate suspension.
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Meanwhile, Natasha continues to challenge the Senate’s authority—both in court and via international bodies—while also pursuing a defamation suit against Akpabio
Commentary
Justice Nyako’s ruling sends a strong message: no one is above court orders, especially gag directives tied to sensitive political and legal disputes. The court chose to impose civil penalties rather than incarceration, perhaps aiming to balance enforcement with de-escalation.
However, the broader legal contest—centered on the fairness of Natasha’s suspension and her serious sexual harassment claims—remains unresolved and is likely to return to court soon.
