Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court, Abuja, on Friday, July 4, found Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan guilty of contempt for violating a gag order through a satirical Facebook post directed at Senate President Godswill Akpabio. The ruling comes amid ongoing legal tensions surrounding her controversial six-month suspension from the Senate.
The court ruled that the Facebook post, published on April 7, 2025, constituted a deliberate mockery of the court’s directive, which had restrained all parties from making public comments on the matter. The post was styled as a public apology to Akpabio but clearly ridiculed both the gag order and the Senate leadership.
Justice Nyako ordered the embattled Kogi Central lawmaker to publish a fresh, sincere apology in two national newspapers and on her Facebook page within seven days. The judge also imposed a ₦5 million fine for the contemptuous publication, affirming that although the act took place during civil proceedings, the breach of decorum could not be ignored.
The contempt charge was initiated by Senate President Akpabio, who had accused Akpoti-Uduaghan of intentionally undermining the authority of the judiciary. However, the court refused to grant any additional reliefs or privileges to Akpabio beyond the contempt ruling.
Akpoti-Uduaghan’s legal troubles began earlier this year following her suspension by the Senate over alleged misconduct. The court is still reviewing the substantive suit she filed to challenge the legitimacy of that suspension, and judgment on the case is expected soon.
The lawmaker’s supporters have argued that the Senate’s actions against her are politically motivated, while her critics have questioned her recent public outbursts and courtroom behavior. Friday’s contempt ruling has further deepened public debate about the growing tensions between the legislative and judicial arms of government.
Observers note that this case could set a precedent for how lawmakers engage with court-ordered gag rules in the age of social media, where posts can quickly spark political waves far beyond courtroom walls.
