Apology Video: Akpabio Drags Senator Natasha to Court

Senate President Godswill Akpabio has taken legal action against suspended Kogi Central Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, urging the Federal High Court in Abuja to compel her to delete a satirical video posted on her social media platforms.

The video, shared on April 27, featured Akpoti-Uduaghan mockingly apologising to Akpabio.

In it, she sarcastically claimed she was “sorry for the crime of maintaining dignity and self-respect” and for rejecting his alleged advances, suggesting the Senate President could not handle being turned down.

The ongoing tension between both senators began after a clash in the Senate chamber over seating arrangements. The disagreement escalated when Akpoti-Uduaghan filed a suit to halt the Senate from investigating her for alleged misconduct. Specifically, she sought to stop the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions, chaired by Senator Neda Imasuen, from imposing disciplinary measures.

Following her public allegations of sexual harassment against Akpabio, Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended from the Senate. On April 4, 2025, Justice Binta Nyako issued an order restraining all parties involved from making further public comments about the matter.

Despite this, Akpoti-Uduaghan went on to share the controversial video.

In response, Akpabio’s legal team, led by Kehinde Ogunwumiju, filed an application asking the court to direct her to delete the video, stating it violates the court’s gag order.

Ogunwumiju also requested the court to order Akpoti-Uduaghan to remove the video from all her social media pages and publish a written apology in at least two national newspapers. Furthermore, she would be required to file an affidavit affirming her compliance with the court’s directive.