Natasha Appeals ₦5m Contempt Fine Over Facebook Post

Suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has filed a formal appeal against the ₦5 million contempt ruling delivered by Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court, Abuja, on July 4, 2025, describing the judgment as procedurally flawed and indicative of judicial bias.

The Notice of Appeal, lodged at the Court of Appeal in Abuja, challenges the entire contempt proceedings initiated against Senator Natasha following a satirical Facebook post directed at Senate President Godswill Akpabio.

The post, which allegedly breached a prior court order restraining public commentary on the case, was interpreted by the court as contemptuous.

In the appeal filed by her legal team, led by Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs) including Michael Jonathan Numa, Prof Roland Otaru, J.S. Okutepa, E. West Idahosa, and J.J. Usman, the Appellant argues that the contempt was committed ex facie curiae (outside the court’s face) and therefore required strict compliance with criminal procedures.

According to them, the trial judge lacked the jurisdiction to summarily convict and fine her without issuing the mandatory Forms 48 and 49 as required under the Sheriffs and Civil Process Act.

“The proper legal procedure for prosecuting contempt committed outside court premises was not followed,” the appeal states. “The trial court substituted the reliefs sought by the 3rd Respondent with its own punitive orders, including a ₦5 million fine and public apologies in two national newspapers and on social media.”

The appeal also alleges judicial bias, pointing out that similar public commentaries by other senior lawyers involved in the case, including Olisa Agbakoba (SAN) and Monday Ubani (SAN), went unpunished despite repeated media appearances in which they allegedly made prejudicial comments about the ongoing case.

“Justice must be blind and fair. Selective application of contempt proceedings undermines public confidence in the judiciary,” one of the grounds of appeal reads.”

Six core grounds form the basis of the appeal: “Lack of jurisdiction over ex facie curiae contempt, Breach of fair hearing due to procedural lapses, including failure to serve Forms 48 & 49, Mischaracterization of the Appellant’s Facebook apology as contempt, Imposition of criminal sanction (fine) without proper process, Substitution of reliefs by the judge beyond what was requested, Excessiveness and punitive nature of the fine.”

Senator Natasha is seeking to have the contempt ruling overturned entirely. Specifically, the appeal asks the Court of Appeal to declare the entire proceedings null and void, quash the ₦5 million fine, and assert that the satirical post in question did not violate any lawful court order.

The appeal lists the following as respondents:”The Clerk of the National Assembly, The Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, The Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, Senator Neda Imasuen, Chairman, Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions.”

Legal representation for the Respondents includes prominent law firms such as Afe Babalola & Co., Ojukwu Chikaosolu & Co., and Seasons Law Firm.

The Court of Appeal is expected to assign a date for hearing following the formal filing and service of the appeal documents.

Senator Natasha’s legal team has indicated they may file additional grounds once the Certified True Copy of the original judgment is released.

“This development marks a significant escalation in the ongoing legal and political drama involving the embattled senator, raising broader concerns over legislative oversight, judicial impartiality, and free speech in politically sensitive cases.”