Suspended senator for Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has urged a federal high court in Abuja to dismiss a motion filed by Senate President Godswill Akpabio seeking to compel her to delete a satirical apology posted on social media. 

Akpabio’s legal team, led by Kehinde Ogunwumiju, had asked the court to order Akpoti-Uduaghan to remove the post from all platforms, publish a formal apology in two national newspapers, and submit an affidavit confirming she had complied.

In response, Akpoti-Uduaghan filed a counter-affidavit arguing that her post did not breach any court order and described the motion as an attempt to suppress her voice.

“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.

Her lead counsel, Jubril Okutepa, maintained that the motion was frivolous and rooted in intimidation tactics.

The court is set to rule on both motions on May 12.

Tensions between Akpoti-Uduaghan and Akpabio escalated following a heated exchange over seating arrangements in the Senate chamber. She was suspended in March after accusing Akpabio of sexual harassment.