Natasha Akpoti sues Akpabio, Imasuen for contempt over restraining order on disciplinary proceeding

Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, the senator representing Kogi central, has instituted a contempt application against Senate President Godswill Akpabio over her suspension.

On March 4, the federal high court in Abuja restrained the senate committee on ethics, privileges, and public petitions from conducting disciplinary proceedings against Akpoti-Uduaghan.

Obiora Egwuatu, the presiding judge, gave the order following an ex parte application filed by counsels to the Kogi senator.

Forty-eight hours later, the senate suspended Akpoti-Uduaghan for six months over alleged misconduct.

The upper chamber also approved that the senator’s office be locked, and she must hand over all senate properties in her possession to the clerk of the national assembly for the duration of the suspension.

The decision was taken following the adoption of the report by the committee on ethics, privileges, and public petitions. The committee is headed by Neda Imasuen, a senator representing Edo south.

The committee initiated disciplinary proceedings after the February 20 incident between Akpoti-Uduaghan and Akpabio.

During the plenary, the Kogi senator disrupted proceedings by rejecting her assigned seat, defying the senate president’s order, and repeatedly raising a point of order despite being overruled.

THE CONTEMPT APPLICATION

In the contempt application, Akpabio, Imasuen, and the clerk of the national assembly were listed as respondents.

The Kogi senator told the court that her suspension from the senate on March 6 contravened the restraining order issued by the court.

Akpoti-Uduaghan argued that the respondents “deliberately and contumaciously disregarded” the restraining order issued by the court.

In a notice of disobedience of a court order signed by the registrar, the court warned the respondents that their actions may lead to their committal to prison.