….Orders Her Apology Published In 2 National Newspapers And In Her Facebook Page
The Federal High Court in Abuja has found Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central, guilty of contempt for defying a court order with a satirical post on social media.
Justice Binta Nyako, who delivered the ruling on Friday, held that the senator breached a gag order issued in an ongoing legal matter by posting a mock apology to Senate President Godswill Akpabio on her Facebook page on April 7.
The court viewed the post as a direct violation of its earlier directive restraining public commentary by the parties involved. Justice Nyako ruled that Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s action constituted contempt in a civil proceeding.
As punishment, the court ordered the senator to publish a formal apology in two national newspapers within seven days. She is also mandated to replicate the apology on her Facebook page.
In addition, the lawmaker was fined ₦5 million for the infraction, with the court emphasizing the need to uphold the integrity of its orders and discourage defiance by public officeholders.
