By Ayorinde Oluokun/Abuja
The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the senator representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan to publish an apology in two newspapers and pay N5million fine over satirical apology she posted on her Facebook page on April 27.
Justice Binta Nyako gave the order while delivering judgment in the suit filed by Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan challenging her suspension.
She first delivered her ruling in the contempt application filed by the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio.
The Senate President had in his application said Akpoti-Uduaghan’s Facebook post violated an earlier court order restraining all parties from speaking to the media or making social media posts related to the case.
But Akpoti-Uduaghan’s counsel has argued that the post was not connected to the court’s order concerning her suspension,
She added that the post related to separate issue involving sexual harassment allegations against Akpabio.
But Justice Nyako dismissed the argument of the defence counsel.
She held that a review of the post and the application before her instituted by the third respondent, convinced her that it was linked to the suspension matter before the court.
The Court said the alleged apology published on her Facebook page on April 7 was a mockery of a gag order that was placed on the parties by the court.
She therefore found the Kogi Central Senator guilty of contempt.
Subsequently, the judge ordered Akpoti-Uduaghan to publish an apology in two national dailies and on her Facebook page within seven days.
The Judge also imposed a fine of N5 million on the Senator
The court, in a separate judgment, quashed the six months suspension on Sen. Akpoti-Uduaghan by the Senate.
Source; PM News
