Natasha Akpoti asks court to dismiss Akpabio’s motion over her satirical apology

Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, the suspended senator representing Kogi central, has asked a federal high court in Abuja to dismiss a motion seeking to compel her to delete a satirical apology to Godswill Akpabio, the senate president.

In a motion on Monday, Akpabio’s legal team, led by Kehinde Ogunwumiju, urged the court to order Akpoti-Uduaghan to delete the post from all her social media platforms.

They also asked the court to mandate her to publish a written apology in at least two national newspapers and file an affidavit confirming compliance.

In a counter-affidavit, the Kogi lawmaker argued that her post did not violate the court’s gag order.

The Kogi senator’s legal team, led by Jubril Okutepa, described the Akpabio’s motion as an “attempt to silence and intimidate her”.

“That the instant motion is borne of malice and intended to harass, intimidate, and scandalise me for exercising my constitutionally guaranteed right to fair hearing and to free expression,” the affidavit reads.

The court is expected to rule on the motion and the counter-affidavit on May 12.

The row between Akpabio and the suspended senator began after an altercation in the chamber over seating arrangements.

Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended in March, shortly after accusing the senate president of sexual harassment.