Senate President Godswill Akpabio and other top officials of the Senate face possible jail time over alleged defiance of a Federal High Court order, as Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan initiates contempt proceedings.
A notice of disobedience of court order, officially signed by the court registrar under Section 72 of the Sheriff and Civil Process Act 2004, has been served on the defendants. The notice warns of legal consequences following their alleged failure to comply with a directive issued by Justice O.A. Egwuatu on March 4, 2025.
The Federal High Court in Abuja issued Form 48 in suit No: FHC/ABJ/CS/384/2025, listing the Clerk of the National Assembly, the Senate, Senate President Akpabio, and Senator Neda Imasuem, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Code of Conduct, as defendants. The court asserts that their failure to comply with the ruling could lead to contempt charges and possible imprisonment.
Read Also “Google Unveils Cutting-Edge AI Models to Advance Robotic Intelligence”
Despite being duly served with the enrolled court order on March 5, 2025, the defendants allegedly disregarded the directive and continued actions that the court considers a blatant defiance of judicial authority.
The notice explicitly states: “Take notice that your willful disobedience of the order of this Honourable Court renders you liable for contempt, for which you may be committed to prison unless compliance is met.”
Furthermore, the court referenced its ruling on a motion ex parte dated February 28, 2025, but filed on March 3, 2025, which sought orders for substituted service, an interim injunction, and a directive restraining the Senate from proceeding with an inquiry against Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan regarding events from the February 20, 2025 plenary session.
Read Also “Real Madrid Edge Atletico on Penalties, Arsenal Advance to UCL Quarter-Finals”
The court maintained that any actions taken by the Senate in defiance of this ongoing case would be deemed null and void. The legal standoff now puts Akpabio and other implicated officials under significant scrutiny, as they must either comply or risk further legal consequences.
