The Court is put on May 13 to listen again to the requests for contempt for Akpabio …- Theconclaveng

The High Federal Court of Abuja was suspended on Tuesday 13 May, for a definitive audition on the accusations of contempt presented by the president of the Senate Godswill Akpabio against the suspended senator who represents Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Undughan.

Judge Binta Nyako set the new date after the second and third accused informed the court of having submitted a question accusing the contempt actor.

The dispute between Akpabio and Akpoti-Auduaghan derives from a disagreement during the plenary on February 20 with regard to the seats agreements. The problem intensified when Akpoti-Auduaghan, speaking of a television program, made accusations of sexual harassment against Akpabio.

In the aftermath, Akpoti-Auduaghan approached the High Federal Court to retain the Senate Committee on ethics, privileges and public petitions to investigate his actions. His former application, marked with FHC/Abj/CS/384/2025, appointed the employee of the National Assembly, the Senate, the President of the Senate and the President of the Committee, the Senator Nedamwen IMASUEN, as interviewed.

On March 4, the Court issued an order stopping the disciplinary action by the Senate. However, only two days later, on March 6, the Senate suspended Akpoti-Auduaghan, citing a report by the ethical committee that accused her of serious bad conduct, despite the current judicial proceedings.

Further by complicating issues, on April 4, judge Nyako prohibited all parties to give interviews with the media or publish on social media on the case. This move came after Akpabio consultant said that Akpoti-Unduaghan had continued to speak to the press for violation of the Court’s Order.

At Monday’s hearing, the Akpoti-Auduaghan legal team, led by Jibrin Okutekpa, told the Court that all the necessary documents were complete and that they were ready to proceed. Representing the defendants were Charles Youilha (1st accused), Paul Daudu (2nd), Ekoh Ejembo (San) (3rd) and Valentine Offia (4th).

Despite the defense team that confirms compliance with the orders of the Court, Daudu raised a new problem, claiming that Akpoti-Auduaghan had violated the non-social-media directive.

“The question is coming for the defined hearing. The second defendant presented his program of hearing. Usually, we are ready to proceed, but on Friday a further entrance was served, which I have the right to respond.

“This court ordered that there were no posts on social media, but there was one. The complaint itself published satirical apologies on her Facebook page,” Daudu said.

Akpabio’s lawyer, Ejembo, supported the statement, adding: “We are claiming that the Facebook post made by the actor is a mockery of the Court’s procedure. We give a report by a punch newspaper that shows that he made the place despite the order of the court.”

In defense, Okutekpa argued that the Facebook post was not related to current procedures and concerned the previous accusations of sexual harassment.

“Our counter-offavit concerns only the question before the Court. The satirical place has no link with it,” he supported, further exhorting the court to accelerate the main hearing, since Akpoti-Unduaghan had been absent from his legislative duties for 68 cumulative days.

Judge Nyako, however, underlined that the question of contempt must be resolved first.

“I cannot proceed with this question until I conclude on the question of contempt. If there is a contempt, I have to listen to it and determine it before,” he said.

In response, the Akpoti-Auduaghan consultant raised a counter-formal accusation against all the defendants.

“My gentleman, you paused this process for an accusation of contempt. We also have a question of contempt for all defendants,” he said.

Judge Nyako severely warned that the continuous challenge under the orders of the court would not be tolerated.

“I have the power to evoke all your customers to appear in court. If the consultant or the parties in question disobey the court, then the court is not business to hear them, this is my position,” he warned.

Moving on to the Akpoti-Auduaghan legal team, he added: “If you have a question of contempt, carry it out so that the court can listen to it”.

“You cannot allow your client to fail to respect this Court. If they are in contempt, they will have to face the punishment. Otherwise, the Court will proceed.” [The Witness]