Senate President Godswill Akpabio and other top officials face possible imprisonment over alleged defiance of a court order, as Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan initiates contempt proceedings against the Senate.
The Federal High Court in Abuja issued Form 48—a notice of disobedience of a court order—warning the accused individuals of the legal consequences of their actions.
Signed by the Court Registrar under Section 72 of the Sheriffs and Civil Process Act 2004, the notice references a ruling delivered on March 4, 2025, by Justice O.A. Egwuatu.
The case, filed under suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/384/2025, lists Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan as the plaintiff, with the Clerk of the National Assembly, the Senate, Senate President Akpabio, and the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Code of Conduct, Senator Neda Imasuem, as the first, second, third, and fourth defendants respectively.
According to the court, Akpabio, Senator Imasuem, and the Clerk of the National Assembly risk being held in contempt and possibly jailed unless they comply with the court’s directive.
The notice emphasizes that despite being served with the enrolled order on March 5, 2025, the defendants deliberately disregarded it and continued with actions that openly defied the court’s authority.
Part of the Form 48 reads: “Take notice that pursuant to Section 72 of the Sheriffs and Civil Processes Act, your willful disobedience of the order of this Honourable Court, Coram: Hon. Justice O.A. Egwuatu J, made on 4th day of March 2025, renders you liable for contempt of court, for which you may be committed to prison unless you comply with the said order.”
The notice further states that despite being formally served, the defendants proceeded with actions in clear defiance of the court’s directive. A copy of the order has been attached for reference.
The court order, stemming from a motion ex parte dated February 28, 2025, but filed on March 3, 2025, grants several reliefs, including:
-Permission for the plaintiff to serve the second defendant with the originating summons and other related documents via substituted means—either through the Clerk of the National Assembly, by pasting on the National Assembly premises, or via publication in two national dailies.
-An interim injunction restraining the Senate’s Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Code of Conduct, led by Senator Imasuem, from proceeding with an investigation against Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan related to alleged misconduct during the Senate’s February 20, 2025, plenary session.
-A directive requiring the defendants to justify why an interlocutory injunction should not be granted against them, preventing them from continuing the purported investigation against the plaintiff.
-A declaration that any action taken while the suit remains pending is null and void.
