Thursday May 8, 2025 |
Senate President Godswill Akpabio has asked the Federal High Court in Abuja to order suspended Kogi Central senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, to delete a satirical video she shared online, which he says violates a court order.
The video, posted on April 27, features Akpoti-Uduaghan mockingly apologising to Akpabio.
In it, she claimed to be “sorry for the crime of maintaining dignity and self-respect,” suggesting she was being punished for rejecting the Senate President’s alleged advances. She further implied Akpabio believed no one could turn him down.
The fallout between the senators began with a dispute in the Senate over seating, which later escalated when Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended for accusing Akpabio of sexual harassment.
She had earlier filed a suit to stop the Senate from probing her for alleged misconduct, particularly challenging the Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions, led by Senator Neda Imasuen.
Justice Binta Nyako, who is presiding over the case, had on April 4, 2025, issued a restraining order barring all parties from making public comments about the matter.
Despite the order, Akpabio’s legal team, led by Kehinde Ogunwumiju, argued in a fresh application that Akpoti-Uduaghan’s video post breached the court’s directive.
The application asked the court to compel her to delete the video from all her social media platforms.
Additionally, the Senate President is seeking an order for Akpoti-Uduaghan to publish a written apology in at least two national newspapers and submit an affidavit confirming her compliance.
