A Certified True Copy (CTC) of the Federal High Court judgment delivered on 4 July 2025 has clarified that Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan must issue an apology solely to the court—not the Senate—as part of conditions to purge herself of contempt.
Justice Binta Nyako, who presided over the matter in Abuja, found the lawmaker representing Kogi Central guilty of contempt for remarks made on her Facebook page in contravention of an extant court order. Consequently, she was fined ₦5 million and directed to publish a public apology in two national dailies and on her Facebook page within seven days.
This clarification contradicts earlier comments attributed to the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Senator Yemi Adaramodu, which suggested that Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan was also required to apologise to the Senate before she could resume legislative duties.
The CTC, duly signed by court officials Kanu Ngozi and Ifeanacho Amarachi, states:
> “An order is hereby made for the Plaintiff to pay a fine in the sum of ₦5 million to the Federal Government Treasury and to publish a public apology to the court in two (2) national dailies and on her Facebook page within 7 days of today to purge herself of the contempt.”
Furthermore, the court ordered the Senate to reinstate Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, affirming that her suspension was unlawful.
In response, the senator has filed an appeal challenging the judgment. Her legal team contends that the court exceeded its jurisdiction by penalising her for comments made outside its proceedings, and they are seeking a complete reversal of the decision at the Court of Appeal.
This development is expected to significantly influence the evolving impasse between the senator and the upper chamber, particularly about her reinstatement and any potential disciplinary reprisals.
