ABUJA: President of the Nigerian Senate, Godswill Akpabio, on Monday denied that senior lawyers Chief Olisa Agbakoba and Monday Ubani, both Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SAN), are representing him in the ongoing legal dispute with Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, over her suspension.
Appearing before Justice Binta Nyako at the Federal High Court in Abuja, legal counsel to the Senate and Akpabio, listed as the second and third respondents, disclaimed any connection between their legal team and the two senior lawyers accused of violating court orders.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan had sued the Clerk of the Senate, the Senate, the Senate President, and the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Ethics, challenging her six-month suspension from the Senate issued on March 5, 2025.
During a previous hearing on April 4, Justice Nyako restrained all parties, including their legal teams, from making public statements about the matter. A hearing on pending motions was set for May 12.
However, ahead of the court date, Akpoti-Uduaghan published a satirical “apology” letter on Facebook on April 27, referencing her suspension and alleging it was linked to her refusal to respond to sexual advances from Akpabio. The letter quickly went viral.
In response, the Senate and Akpabio filed applications on May 5, asking the court to compel the senator to delete the letter and tender an apology for allegedly violating the media gag order.
At the resumed hearing on Monday, Akpabio’s lawyers, Paul Daudu and Eko Ejembi Eko (both SAN), submitted an affidavit of non-compliance, accusing the plaintiff of contempt over the viral letter.
Read also:
- Suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan Denies Violating Court Order Over Satirical Post
- Supporters of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan Storm National Assembly in Protest
- Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan Sues Senate President Akpabio for Defamation for N100 billion
They claimed the letter was not only a mockery of the Senate but also delved into the substantive legal issues, violating the court’s directive.
The legal team further clarified that Agbakoba and Ubani are not part of Akpabio’s legal representation, countering Akpoti-Uduaghan’s earlier claim that they were.
In defense, Akpoti-Uduaghan’s counsel, Jibrin Okutepa, SAN, argued that the Facebook letter did not relate to the court proceedings but rather a separate sexual harassment claim against the Senate President.
He also initiated contempt proceedings against Akpabio, accusing him and his team of disregarding the court’s earlier orders.
Okutepa asked the court to prioritize the hearing of their application, asserting that Akpabio’s legal maneuvers were an attempt to delay proceedings and frustrate justice.
In a counter-affidavit filed on May 8, the senator maintained that the satirical letter referenced a different legal matter and did not violate Justice Nyako’s gag order.
She accused Akpabio of using the court to silence her and derail the case, alleging a calculated plan to ensure she serves her suspension term without resolution.
She described Akpabio’s motion as a malicious attempt to stifle her freedom of expression and urged the court to dismiss it as incompetent and oppressive to her constituents, who remain unrepresented.
The case was originally before Justice Emeka Nwite, who granted an injunction against further disciplinary action on March 4. Despite the order, the Senate suspended Akpoti-Uduaghan the next day.
Justice Nwite later recused himself following allegations of bias from Akpabio, and the matter was reassigned to Justice Nyako.
Justice Nyako, in her brief ruling on Monday, acknowledged the significance of the contempt issues and adjourned the matter to May 13 for the hearing of all pending applications, including the main suit.
