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Senate President Akpabio; Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan
By TAIYE AGBAJE
The Federal High Court in Abuja is set to hear the contempt charge filed by the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, against Sen. Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, over alleged social media post in breach of the court order.
Justice Binta Nyako, who adjourned the matter until Tuesday by noon, also said she would hear the earlier contempt charge filed by Akpoti-Uduaghan against Akpabio, the Senate and others over allegations of disobedience to earlier court order.
“I want a copy of the Senate rules as well. I will take you tomorrow. I am going to clear the diary,” the judge said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Justice Nyako had, on April 4, restrained all parties in the suit filed by Akpoti-Udughan from granting media interviews or engage in social media post In respect of the subject matter before the court.
The development followed a complaint by Akpabio’s lawyer, Kehinde Ogunwumiju, SAN, that Akpoti-Uduaghan had allegedly been going from one media station to another, granting press interviews on issues relating to the suit
However, Akpabio, had filed a motion accusing her of flouting the court order by posting a “satirical letter” on her Facebook page.
Also, Akpoti-Uduaghan had earlier filed a contempt charge against the defendants for suspending her in contravention with the order given by the former presiding judge, Justice Obiora Egwuatu, restraining all the defendants from taking any action pending the hearing and determination of the matter.
The embattled senator had sued the Clerk of the National Assembly (NASS), Akpabio, the Senate and Sen. Neda Imasuen, the Chairman, Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Code of Conduct as 1st to 4th defendants respectively. (NAN)