…Lawmakers face contempt charges over court order violation
Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has filed contempt charges against Senate President Godswill Akpabio, the Clerk of the National Assembly, and the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Code of Conduct, Senator Neda Imasuem, for allegedly disobeying a court order regarding her suspension.
Court Order and Alleged Defiance
In a Form 48 filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja, the Kogi Central lawmaker argued that her six-month suspension was a deliberate violation of a March 4 court directive barring the Senate from proceeding with actions against her.
The court, in a notice signed by its Registrar, warned Akpabio and the other defendants that failing to comply with the order could lead to imprisonment for contempt. The notice emphasized that the defendants had “deliberately and contumaciously disregarded” the court’s ruling by moving forward with her suspension.
Background of the Legal Battle
According to court documents, an interim injunction was served on the Senate leadership on March 5, restraining the Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Code of Conduct from investigating Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan over alleged misconduct during a February 20 plenary session. Despite this, the Senate reportedly proceeded with disciplinary actions.
Justice Obiora Egwuatu had also ordered the defendants to explain why they should not be restrained from taking any further steps that would affect the senator’s rights and privileges. The court further ruled that any action taken while the case was ongoing would be “null, void, and of no effect whatsoever.”
Legal Actions and Next Steps
The judge permitted the senator to serve legal documents on the defendants through substituted means, including pasting them at the National Assembly or publishing them in national newspapers.
In response, Senate President Akpabio has contested the court’s authority to interfere in Senate affairs. The case is set to continue on March 25, 2025.
