News

Court Convicts Senator Natasha, Fines Her N5m Over Satirical Apology

BySodiq Lawal

PublishedJuly 4, 2025

The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has convicted the senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, of contempt over a satirical apology she posted on her Facebook page on April 27.

Justice Binta Nyako, who presided over the matter, delivered the ruling on Friday in a suit filed by Akpoti-Uduaghan challenging her suspension from the Senate.

However, the judge began by addressing a contempt application brought before the court by the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio.

In the application, Akpabio faulted the senator’s post, arguing that it flouted an earlier restraining order which barred all parties from making public statements, including press or social media comments, on the matter under litigation.

Akpoti-Uduaghan’s legal team maintained that the post had no link to the suspension proceedings, claiming instead it was related to a separate issue involving allegations of sexual harassment against Akpabio.

But Justice Nyako disagreed with that line of defence. After reviewing the Facebook post and accompanying materials filed by the third respondent, she ruled that the content was connected to the ongoing suspension case and thus constituted a breach of the court’s directive. The judge, therefore, found Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan guilty of contempt.

Consequently, the court ordered her to publish a formal apology in two national newspapers and on her Facebook page within seven days. She was also handed a N5 million fine.

Sodiq Lawal

Sodiq Lawal is a passionate and dedicated journalist with a knack for uncovering captivating stories in the bustling metropolis of Osun State and Nigeria at large. He has a versatile reporting style, covering a wide range of topics, from politics , campus, and social issues to arts and culture, seeking impact in all facets of the society.