Contempt Drama: Court Slams Senator Natasha with ₦5m Fine Over Mock Apology to Senate President Akpabio

Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court in Abuja has found Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan guilty of contempt of court over a controversial post she made mocking a previous court order. The judgment, delivered on Friday, July 4, 2025, has now thrust the embattled Kogi Central lawmaker into fresh legal trouble amid her ongoing battle to reverse a six-month Senate suspension.

The court ruled that Natasha’s satirical apology to Senate President Godswill Akpabio, which she posted on her verified Facebook page on April 7, 2025, violated a gag order previously issued by the court to all parties involved. Justice Nyako noted that her public display of sarcasm amounted to civil contempt and deliberately undermined the sanctity of the judicial process.

Despite the fact that the contempt suit was filed by Akpabio, the court stopped short of granting any personal relief to him. However, it ordered Senator Natasha to publish a formal apology in two national newspapers and repost it on her Facebook page within seven days. The court also fined her ₦5 million for what it described as deliberate and offensive misconduct.

Legal experts say this ruling sets a powerful precedent on the limitations of social media commentary during active court proceedings. While courts have previously warned parties about the misuse of online platforms, this is one of the few high-profile cases where a sitting senator is being penalized financially and publicly for such behavior.

The judgment comes amid Natasha’s legal push to invalidate her suspension from the Senate. She was suspended in March 2025 following accusations of violating legislative protocols, but the lawmaker insisted that the suspension was politically motivated and an attack on her freedom of expression. Her lawsuit challenging the Senate’s authority to suspend her is currently awaiting a final decision.

Senator Natasha, known for her fiery political style and fearless public commentary, has yet to publicly respond to the ruling. However, her legal team hinted at the possibility of appealing the contempt judgment, calling the fine “harsh and punitive.” Meanwhile, supporters have flooded social media with mixed reactions, some defending her as a victim of political persecution, others calling for stricter decorum from public officials.

As the court moves to finalize its verdict on the legality of her suspension, Natasha’s clash with both the Senate and judiciary continues to polarize public opinion—and signals that the battle for political integrity in Nigeria is far from over.