Natasha Slams Akpabio Over Contempt Suit, Says Court Order Was Suspended

ABUJA, NIGERIA — Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has pushed back against claims that she violated a court order in the ongoing legal tussle with Senate President Godswill Akpabio, insisting she has not acted in contempt of any valid judicial directive.

Responding to contempt proceedings initiated against her, Senator Natasha clarified that the interim order issued by Justice Nyako had already been suspended by the court on April 8, 2024, and thus cannot be the basis for any contempt allegation.

“I have not disobeyed any valid court order. The interim order referenced by Senator Akpabio was suspended. Any claim that I acted in defiance of the court is misleading and intended to harass me,” she said on Thursday.

Addressing claims that her earlier apology constituted an admission of guilt, Senator Natasha maintained that the apology was made as a gesture of reconciliation, not as a confession of wrongdoing.

“My apology letter did not admit that I breached any court order. It was a gesture of peace and reconciliation, not an acceptance of wrongdoing. I find it disingenuous that the Senate President is weaponizing that letter to stifle my voice,” she added.

The senator argued that the suit against her violates Section 39 of the 1999 Constitution, which guarantees freedom of expression, and accused Akpabio of using judicial processes to intimidate her and suppress dissent within the Senate.

“Senator Akpabio is attempting to weaponize the court to silence a fellow senator. This is not just about me—it is about the democratic principles we swore to uphold,” she emphasized.

She also questioned Akpabio’s priorities, saying, “Is it not curious that while I’m being dragged for exercising my right to speak, the Senate President remains silent on far more serious allegations within the National Assembly? Why is he so afraid of scrutiny?”

Senator Natasha vowed to defend herself in court and called on civil society groups, the media, and Nigerians to resist judicial intimidation.

“I have instructed my legal team to file the necessary responses. I also call on the media, activists, and the public to stand against any form of judicial intimidation,” she said.

The court is yet to rule on the contempt suit filed by the Senate President, as political tensions within the upper chamber continue to escalate.

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