A Federal High Court in Abuja has found suspended senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, guilty of contempt and ordered her to pay a ₦5 million fine for violating a standing court order.
Justice Binta Nyako, who delivered the ruling on Friday, said Akpoti-Uduaghan defied a restraining order issued on April 4, which barred all parties involved in the ongoing legal matter from making public comments.
Despite the directive, the former senator went ahead to publish a satirical post on her Facebook page on April 27. The court held that the publication amounted to civil contempt.
Justice Nyako clarified that because the matter involved civil rather than criminal contempt, Akpoti-Uduaghan would not face imprisonment. However, she is required to pay a financial penalty and issue a public apology.
The court further directed her to pay ₦5 million to the Federal Government and publish a written apology in two national newspapers and on her official Facebook page within seven days.
More details are expected as the story develops.
