Senate President Godswill Akpabio, along with other top officials, faces possible jail time for allegedly disobeying a court order. Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has initiated contempt proceedings against them.

A Federal High Court in Abuja issued Form 48, a legal notice warning that ignoring the court’s directive could lead to imprisonment. The notice, signed by the court registrar, was issued under Section 72 of the Sheriffs and Civil Process Act, 2004.

The case, numbered FHC/ABJ/CS/384/2025, lists the Clerk of the National Assembly, the Senate, the Senate President, and the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Code of Conduct, Senator Neda Imasuem, as the defendants.

The court order was issued on March 4, 2025, and served to the defendants on March 5, 2025. However, they allegedly ignored it and continued their actions despite the warning. The court emphasized that failure to comply could result in a contempt ruling and possible imprisonment.

Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan approached the court after the Senate Ethics Committee, led by Senator Imasuem, launched an investigation into her for alleged misconduct. The investigation was related to events that took place during a Senate plenary session on February 20, 2025. The case was officially filed on February 28, 2025, and came before Justice O.A. Egwuatu on March 4, 2025.

The court granted the senator’s request for an interim injunction, preventing the Senate Committee from continuing its investigation until the case is resolved. The judge also ruled that any action taken while the case is still in court would be null and void.

If the Senate President, Senator Imasuem, and the Clerk of the National Assembly fail to comply with the court’s order, they could be found guilty of contempt of court, leading to possible jail time. The case is expected to continue in court as both sides present their arguments.