The Federal High Court in Abuja has been petitioned by Senate President Godswill Akpabio to order suspended Kogi Central Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan to take down a satirical apology that she shared on social media.
Akpoti-Uduaghan released a brief video on April 27 in which she sarcastically apologised to Akpabio for denying him her wishes.
Akpoti-Uduaghan stated she was “sorry for the crime of maintaining dignity and self-respect” and for rejecting the advances of the Senate President, whom she implied believed no one could refuse him.
The two senators’ disagreement comes from an incident in the Senate chamber about seating arrangements. This prompted Akpoti-Uduaghan to file a lawsuit seeking to prevent the Senate from investigating her for alleged misbehaviour.
The senator specifically requested that the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions, which is chaired by Senator Neda Imasuen, refrain from initiating any disciplinary action against her. Akpoti-Uduaghan was eventually suspended after claiming the Senate President of sexual harassment.
On April 4, 2025, the presiding court, Justice Binta Nyako, ordered that all parties involved in the litigation refrain from making public statements about the current case.
Meanwhile, Akpabio’s legal team, led by Kehinde Ogunwumiju, has filed a fresh application asking the court to direct Akpoti-Uduaghan to delete the video, arguing it violated a judge’s directive.
In his application, Akpabio’s lawyer also requested the court to order Akpoti-Uduaghan to remove the post from all her social media accounts.
Additionally, Ogunwumiju urged the court to mandate Akpoti-Uduaghan to publish a written apology in at least two national newspapers and file an affidavit confirming her compliance.
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