Natasha vs. Akpabio: Court Issues Jail Warning Over Disobedience

• Senate President Akpabio Faces Jail Threat: Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has initiated contempt proceedings against Akpabio and others for disobeying a Federal High Court order.
• Court Issues Warning: The Federal High Court in Abuja issued Form 48, warning Akpabio, Senator Imasuem, and the Clerk of the National Assembly of possible imprisonment for ignoring its directive.
• Investigation Halted: The court ordered the Senate’s Ethics Committee to stop its investigation into Senator Natasha until the case is fully resolved.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio may face jail for allegedly disobeying a court order. Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has started contempt proceedings against the Senate.

The Federal High Court in Abuja issued Form 48, a notice warning Akpabio and others of the consequences of disobeying its order. The notice was signed by the court registrar under Section 72 of the Sheriffs and Civil Process Act, 2004.

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The case, numbered FHC/ABJ/CS/384/2025, involves Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan as the plaintiff and the Clerk of the National Assembly, the Senate, Senate President Akpabio, and the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Senator Neda Imasuem, as defendants.

 

The court warned that Akpabio, Senator Imasuem, and the Clerk of the National Assembly could be sent to prison if they do not follow the court’s order. Despite being served with the court’s decision on March 5, 2025, the defendants allegedly ignored the ruling and continued their actions.

The court’s order, issued on March 4, 2025, included:

1Permission for Senator Natasha to serve legal documents on the Senate through the Clerk of the National Assembly or by public notice.

An order stopping the Senate’s Committee on Ethics from investigating Senator Natasha over events during a February 20, 2025, plenary session until a final decision is made.

A directive for the defendants to explain why the court should not issue a permanent order stopping their investigation.

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A declaration that any actions taken by the Senate while the case is ongoing will be invalid.

The court emphasized that failure to obey these instructions could lead to imprisonment for the defendants.

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