Court Fines Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan ₦5M After Finding Her Guilty Of Contempt Over Satirical Apology To Akpabio

The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has ruled that Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan found guilty of contempt, following a controversial Facebook post that violated a court gag order.

Justice Binta Nyako delivered the verdict on Friday, stating that the suspended lawmaker representing Kogi Central acted in defiance of the court by publishing a satirical apology to Senate President Godswill Akpabio. The apology, which appeared on her Facebook page on April 7, was deemed to have mocked the court’s directive restricting public commentary on the matter.

With Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan found guilty of contempt, the court ordered her to issue a formal apology in two national newspapers and repost it on her Facebook page within seven days. Additionally, she was fined ₦5 million for civil contempt.

This ruling came in response to a contempt suit filed by Senator Akpabio, though the court refrained from granting him any specific reliefs beyond the contempt finding. Despite Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan found guilty of contempt, the judge emphasized the need to maintain the dignity and authority of the judiciary in ongoing legal proceedings.

Meanwhile, the court is set to deliver judgment on Akpoti-Uduaghan’s separate lawsuit challenging her six-month suspension from the Senate—another high-profile case attracting national attention.

The development marks a significant moment in the ongoing legal and political battle involving the senator, reinforcing the seriousness of compliance with court directives. With Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan found guilty of contempt, the case underscores the broader consequences of public commentary during active legal disputes.