Senate President Godswill Akpabio has filed a petition with the Federal High Court in Abuja, seeking to compel suspended Kogi Central Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan to delete a satirical apology she posted on her social media pages.
On April 27, Akpoti-Uduaghan shared a video on her social media, in which she mockingly apologized to Akpabio, claiming it was for not allowing him to have his way with her. In the video, she said, “I’m sorry for the crime of maintaining dignity and self-respect” and for rejecting the Senate President’s supposed advances, implying that Akpabio believed no one could refuse him.
The dispute between Akpoti-Uduaghan and Akpabio originated from an altercation in the Senate chamber over seating arrangements. This led to Akpoti-Uduaghan filing a lawsuit aimed at preventing the Senate from investigating her for alleged misconduct. She specifically sought to stop the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions from taking disciplinary action against her.
After Akpoti-Uduaghan accused Akpabio of sexual harassment, she was subsequently suspended from the Senate. On April 4, 2025, Justice Binta Nyako issued a restraint order, preventing all parties from making public comments regarding the case.
Akpabio’s legal team, headed by Kehinde Ogunwumiju, has now filed a fresh application asking the court to order Akpoti-Uduaghan to delete the video. The petition argues that the video violates the judge’s directive. Furthermore, Akpabio's lawyer is requesting the court to mandate Akpoti-Uduaghan to remove the video from all her social media platforms, publish a written apology in at least two national newspapers, and file an affidavit confirming compliance with the court’s order.
