The Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned the hearing of contempt allegations against suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan to Tuesday, May 13, following a submission by two defendants pointing to alleged violations of court orders. Justice Binta Nyako scheduled the hearing after being informed of a contempt application related to a satirical Facebook post by Akpoti-Uduaghan, which allegedly breached a prior court order banning social media commentary on the ongoing case.
The case stems from a dispute with Senate President Godswill Akpabio over Senate seating arrangements on February 20, followed by Akpoti-Uduaghan’s televised allegations of sexual harassment against Akpabio.In response, Akpoti-Uduaghan sought a court injunction to stop the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions from launching an investigation into her actions.
All parties confirmed compliance with earlier court directives and readiness for hearing. However, Akpabio’s counsel and co-defendants insisted that Akpoti-Uduaghan’s Facebook post constituted contempt. Akpoti-Uduaghan’s legal team argued that the post was unrelated to the court matter and urged the court to proceed with the substantive case. They also raised a counter-contempt claim against all defendants.
Justice Nyako emphasized that the contempt matter must be resolved before the main hearing, warning all parties that further disobedience of court orders would not be tolerated and could result in sanctions.
Source : https://punchng.com/
