Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, the suspended lawmaker for Kogi Central Senatorial District, has denied accusations that she violated a court order barring her from commenting or posting about her sexual harassment claims against Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
The lawmaker’s statement came in response to a new lawsuit filed by Akpabio, who sought an apology over what he described as a sarcastic apology from Akpoti-Uduaghan. On April 27, 2025, she posted a video on her Facebook page, mockingly apologizing to Akpabio.
In the video, she expressed regret for not allowing him to have his way with her and for maintaining her dignity by rejecting his advances, implying that he believed no one could refuse him.
Offended by the video, Akpabio filed a motion at the Abuja Federal High Court through his lawyer, Kehinde Ogunwumiju, SAN, demanding that the court order Akpoti-Uduaghan to remove the video and delete it from all her social media platforms. Ogunwumiju argued that the post violated a court-imposed gag order.
In response, Akpoti-Uduaghan filed a sworn affidavit on Friday, rejecting the claims that her post breached the court’s gag order. She explained that the April 27 Facebook post, titled “Satirical Apology Letter,” was a political satire intended to criticize patriarchal practices in the legislature.
She further asserted that the post was protected under Section 39(1) of the Constitution and had no impact on the ongoing legal proceedings, as it did not reference the case or prejudice it in any way. She also pointed out that no evidence had been provided to show that the post had caused any harm to the legal process.
Additionally, Akpoti-Uduaghan accused Akpabio’s lawyer, Monday Ubani, SAN, of posting a Facebook message on May 4, 2025, that criticized both her and the case, which she regarded as an attack against her.
Akpoti-Uduaghan concluded that the motion was motivated by malice, intended to harass, intimidate, and scandalize her for exercising her constitutional right to free speech and a fair hearing.
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