Senate President Godswill Akpabio risks jail time as Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan initiates contempt proceedings against him and other top Senate officials for failing to obey a court order.
Akpoti-Uduaghan, who was suspended from the Senate for six months over alleged rule violations, has taken legal action against Akpabio, the Clerk of the National Assembly, and Senator Neda Imasuem, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Code of Conduct.
A Form 48 notice has been issued by the Federal High Court in Abuja under Suit No: FHC/ABJ/CS/384/2025. The notice warns that the accused officials could face imprisonment for their actions.
The court order, signed by the Registrar, was issued under Section 72 of the Sheriff and Civil Process Act, 2004. It states that Akpabio, Imasuem, and the Clerk of the National Assembly are guilty of “wilful disobedience” of a directive given by Justice O.A. Egwuatu on March 4, 2025.
Despite being officially served the order on March 5, 2025, the Senate leadership allegedly ignored it and proceeded with actions that violated the court’s authority. The court now holds them accountable for contempt, warning they could be imprisoned unless they comply with the ruling.
The notice attached to Form 48 reads:
“TAKE NOTICE that pursuant to Section 72 of the Sheriffs and Civil Processes Act, your wilful 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.”
Earlier, the court had granted an interim injunction barring the Senate’s Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Code of Conduct from proceeding with its investigation into Akpoti-Uduaghan over alleged misconduct during a Senate plenary on February 20, 2025. The Senate referred the matter to the committee on February 25, 2025, but the court ordered that no action should be taken until the case was fully heard.
The ruling also directed Akpabio and other defendants to “show cause” why a permanent injunction should not be issued to prevent any further investigation against Akpoti-Uduaghan.
Furthermore, the court declared that any action taken by the Senate while the case is pending would be considered “null, void, and of no effect.”
