The suspended lawmaker representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, on Friday, dismissed the allegation that she had violated a courtroom order restraining her from granting interviews or posting something associated to her sexual harassment claims in opposition to the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, on social media.
Natasha was responding to Akpabio’s recent swimsuit demanding an apology for what he described as her tongue-in-cheek apology.
On April 27, Akpoti-Uduaghan shared a brief video on her Fb account during which she mockingly apologised to the previous Akwa Ibom governor, stating that her solely remorse was not permitting him to have his approach along with her.
The senator said that she was “sorry for the crime of sustaining dignity and self-respect”, and for rejecting the advances of the Senate President, whom she implied believed nobody might refuse him.
Infuriated by her perceived sarcasm, Akpabio, in a recent utility filed by his authorized counsel, Kehinde Ogunwumiju, SAN, requested an Abuja Federal Excessive Courtroom to order Akpoti-Uduaghan to delete the video, arguing that it violated the courtroom’s directive.
Ogunwumiju additionally requested that the courtroom order Akpoti-Uduaghan to take away the submit from all her social media accounts.
Akpoti-Uduaghan, nevertheless, refuted the allegation in a counter-affidavit on Friday, arguing that her submit didn’t violate the courtroom’s gag order.
She stated: “I state that the allegations contained therein are deceptive, inaccurate, and don’t mirror the true state of affairs.
“That, save as are herein expressly admitted, I deny each allegation, assertion, conclusion, insinuation, and averment contained within the affidavit in assist of the Movement on Discover dated 5 Could 2025.
“My Fb submit of April 27, 2025, styled ‘Satirical Apology Letter,’ neither mentions this motion nor references any matter sub judice; it’s a political satire on patriarchal norms within the legislature and is protected speech beneath Part 39(1) of the Structure.
“The submit didn’t (and couldn’t) prejudice these proceedings. No proof of precise or seemingly prejudice has been equipped by the applicant.
“On Could 4, 2025, Mr Monday Ubani, SAN (counsel to the applicant), revealed a Fb submit commenting instantly on these proceedings and vilifying me.
“That the moment movement is borne of malice and meant to harass, intimidate, and scandalise me for exercising my constitutionally assured proper to a good listening to and to free expression.”
