Court Orders Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan To Pay N5m Fine, Apologise For Contempt

An Abuja Federal High Court has ruled that the Senate possesses constitutional authority to discipline any member for misconduct, as it ordered Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan to pay a N5 million fine for contempt of court.

Delivering judgment on Friday, Justice Binta Nyako also directed the senator to publish apologies in two national newspapers and on her Facebook page within seven days.

The court established that under Senate Rules, the Senate President reserves the right to allocate seats to members, and lawmakers are only permitted to speak from their designated seats. Justice Nyako pointed out that since Akpoti-Uduaghan did not speak from her assigned seat during the Senate’s February 20 session, she was not entitled to be heard.

The judge further held that while the Senate indeed holds the power to suspend members, it should review the duration of such suspensions to ensure fair representation. She urged the Senate to consider recalling Akpoti-Uduaghan so she can continue representing her constituency, provided she tenders an apology to the chamber.

Justice Nyako ruled that Akpoti-Uduaghan violated a subsisting court order issued on April 4 that restrained all parties from making comments about the pending suit. By posting a satirical letter on Facebook on April 27, the senator was found in contempt.

However, since the contempt was of a civil nature, the court spared her a custodial sentence, imposing instead a monetary penalty and an order for public apology.