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Akpabio Denies Involvement of Agbakoba, Ubani in Natasha’s Suspension Suit

Published

1 month ago

May 12, 2025.

Akpabio Denies Involvement of Agbakoba, Ubani in Natasha’s Suspension Suit.
Natasha defends viral letter, accuses Akpabio of legal ambush.
Court adjourns to May 13, contempt allegations to be addressed.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio on Monday refuted claims that two prominent Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs), Olisa Agbakoba and Monday Ubani, are part of the legal team defending the Senate in the suit filed by suspended Kogi Central Senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.

The denial follows Akpoti-Uduaghan’s viral satirical letter, posted on her Facebook page on April 27, in which she sarcastically apologized to Akpabio, claiming her suspension was punishment for refusing his alleged sexual advances. The letter sparked widespread controversy and raised concerns about potential contempt of court, as a gag order had been placed on all parties involved in the ongoing legal proceedings.

During Monday’s court sitting, counsel for the Senate and Akpabio—Paul Daudu and Eko Ejembi Eko—disassociated Agbakoba and Ubani from the matter, asserting that they had been wrongly linked to the defence team and unjustly accused of flouting court orders.

Daudu submitted an affidavit of non-compliance to the court, accusing Akpoti-Uduaghan of violating the court’s media gag order. He cited the satirical letter as an act of contempt, arguing it mocked the Senate and directly undermined the judicial process.

Akpoti-Uduaghan’s lead counsel, Jibrin Okutepa (SAN), countered the claims, stating that the satirical letter had no bearing on the court case. He clarified that the letter was in response to separate allegations of sexual harassment and not her suspension. Okutepa also initiated contempt proceedings against the respondents, alleging they too had breached the court’s order.

In a counter-affidavit, Akpoti-Uduaghan accused Akpabio of attempting to derail the court process through procedural ambushes. She claimed the Senate President’s actions were designed to suppress her return to the Red Chamber and punish her constituents.

“The 3rd Defendant’s application is not only malicious but if granted, would amount to rewarding contempt, encouraging procedural ambushes, and punishing my constituents by prolonging the void in representation at the Senate,” she wrote.

The case is now before Justice Binta Nyako, who adjourned the matter to May 13, 2025, for the hearing of all pending applications and the substantive suit. Justice Nyako underscored the seriousness of the contempt issue and stressed the need to resolve it as part of the proceedings.

Akpoti-Uduaghan is contesting the legality of her suspension from the Senate, which was enacted on March 5, 2025, despite her request that the court halt all disciplinary actions until her legal challenge is concluded.

Akpabio Denies Involvement of Agbakoba

Her legal team insists that Akpabio’s defiance of court orders undermines judicial integrity and weakens public confidence in the justice system.