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Senator Natasha heads to Appeal Court over N5m contempt fine

Published

7 months ago

July 12, 2025

Senator Natasha heads to Appeal Court over N5m contempt fine

Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan of Kogi Central has filed an appeal against a Federal High Court judgment that found her in contempt and imposed a N5 million fine, describing the penalty as “excessive and punitive.”

In a Notice of Appeal dated July 9 and submitted by her legal counsel, Roland Otaru, SAN, the lawmaker is asking the Court of Appeal to overturn the contempt ruling delivered by Justice Binta Nyako and to nullify the financial sanction.

Justice Nyako had earlier convicted the senator for breaching a court directive that barred all parties from engaging the media on a matter pending before her. The court subsequently ordered Akpoti-Uduaghan to publish public apologies in two national newspapers and on her Facebook page within seven days, in addition to the monetary fine.

In response, the senator argues that the Federal High Court lacked jurisdiction to try her for contempt committed outside the courtroom—known legally as contempt ex facie curiae—and to impose criminal-like sanctions without following the prescribed procedures under the Sheriffs and Civil Processes Act.

According to the appeal, which is based on six legal grounds, the trial court erred in finding the senator guilty of contempt and in awarding a punitive financial penalty.

One of the key arguments raised in the appeal is that Justice Nyako acted beyond her authority by entertaining a motion filed on May 7, 2025, by the Senate President, which alleged that Akpoti-Uduaghan had violated the court’s April 4 order through a Facebook post.

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“The proper procedure for contempt committed ex facie curiae is to proceed against the alleged contemnor by the regular procedure of the criminal trial before another judge to ensure that before the contemnor is punished, the charges preferred against him are established beyond a reasonable doubt.“The trial court judge lacks the vires and indeed the jurisdiction to entertain an alleged contempt of its own order committed ex facie curiae,” the appellant submitted.

The senator also contends that her constitutional right to fair hearing was breached, citing procedural irregularities.

In another point of contention, the senator defended a satirical apology she posted on April 27, 2025, arguing it pertained to sexual harassment allegations and not the core subject matter of the court case.

“The question for determination and the reliefs sought in the appellant’s originating summons, when construed holistically, relate squarely to the propriety or otherwise of the referral of the appellant to the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions, as being ultra vires her constitutional right to fair hearing and the rules of the Senate, leading to her suspension during the pendency of suit.“The sexual harassment allegation was not before the trial court.“The liability as adjudged by the trial judge against the appellant with respect to a subject matter unrelated to the judicial proceedings before her ladyship was erroneous and, indeed, perverse,” she argued.

Further challenging the ruling, Akpoti-Uduaghan stated:
“The 3rd respondent’s application for contempt sought inter alia for an order to delete the said satirical apology and an apology to the Judiciary and the 3rd respondent simpliciter.“The 3rd respondent’s application filed on May 7, 2025 did not expressly seek for the payment of fine of N5 million or any amount whatsoever.“The trial judge expressly, in her decision, substituted the 3rd respondent’s reliefs sought with her own order.“The law is settled that the court and indeed the parties are bound by the reliefs sought on the face of the application under reference.“The imposition of fine by a trial court judge is in the realm of criminal sanctions.“The trial judge can only award cost to the successful party as indemnity in a civil proceedings and not to impose criminal sanction in the form of fines payable to the Federal Government of Nigeria.“The decision of the trial judge to substitute 3rd respondent’s reliefs sought with her own orders extraneous to the motion paper for amounts to descending into the arena of conflict which occasioned a miscarriage of justice,” the appellant submitted.

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She is therefore seeking from the appellate court, “An order setting aside the judgement of the Federal High Court, Abuja Division, Coram: Binta Nyako J., delivered on July 4, 2025, in Suit No: FHC/ABJ/CS/384/2025 on the following terms:
“An order of the Court of Appeal declaring that the trial court lacked the requisite jurisdiction to entertain an alleged contempt ex facie curiae involving the imposition of fine which is criminal in nature, against her own orders without compliance with the proper criminal procedure and provision contained in the Sheriffs and Civil Processes Act.

“An Order of the Court of Appeal declaring that the trial court lacks the requisite vires and jurisdiction to impose the fine of N5 million which is a criminal sanction in civil proceedings without subjecting the appellant to the proper criminal process requiring proof beyond a reasonable doubt.

“An Order of the Court of Appeal declaring that the appellant’s satirical apology letter addressed to the 3rd respondent dated April 27, 2025 on her Facebook page did not amount to contempt of the orders of the court made on April 4, 2025.

Meanwhile, Justice Nyako in the main suit which was brought by the appellant challenging her suspension from the Senate for six months, had held that the action of the legislators was excessive and robs the people of Kogi Central Senatorial District of effective representations.
The judge accordingly called on the lawmakers to recall the suspended senator to enable her serve the people who voted her into office.

Senator Natasha heads to Appeal Court over N5m contempt fine

Related Topics:Appeal Court Natasha Senator

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El-Rufai to Appear Before EFCC After Alleged Airport Arrest Attempt

Published

34 minutes ago

February 12, 2026

Trends Admin

Former Kaduna State Governor, Malam Nasir El-Rufai

El-Rufai to Appear Before EFCC After Alleged Airport Arrest Attempt

Former Kaduna State Governor, Malam Nasir El-Rufai, is scheduled to appear before the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, February 16, 2026, following what his legal team described as an attempted arrest at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

El-Rufai’s counsel, Ubong Esop Akpan, disclosed this while reacting to Thursday’s incident involving security operatives. According to him, the former governor was approached shortly after arriving in Abuja aboard Egypt Air flight MS 877 from Cairo, where he had reportedly travelled for medical treatment and rest.

Akpan described the development as a “flagrant violation of constitutional rights, executive overreach, and deliberate disregard for the rule of law.” He explained that the EFCC invitation was delivered to El-Rufai’s residence while he was already outside Nigeria, making immediate compliance “illogical and impractical.” According to the lawyer, it was unreasonable to expect instantaneous attendance from someone who was abroad at the time the invitation was issued.

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The legal team said it had formally communicated with the EFCC since December 2025, assuring the Commission that El-Rufai would comply upon his return. He added that the EFCC was explicitly notified that the former governor would voluntarily appear at the Commission’s office by 10:00 a.m. on Monday, specifying both the date and time. Resorting to an attempted arrest despite that commitment, he argued, amounted to arbitrary conduct and procedural abuse.

Akpan further alleged that El-Rufai’s passport was seized during the encounter and demanded its immediate return, along with a formal apology. He maintained that there was no lawful basis for the attempted arrest or what he termed mistreatment, stressing that El-Rufai had publicly affirmed his willingness to face any legitimate investigation.

As of the time of filing this report, the EFCC has not issued an official statement regarding the airport incident or the exact nature of the allegations under investigation. However, sources indicate that the former governor’s invitation may be linked to ongoing investigations into alleged financial transactions and administrative decisions during his tenure in Kaduna State.

The development has generated significant political interest, given El-Rufai’s influence in national politics and his outspoken role in governance debates. His scheduled appearance before the anti-corruption agency on Monday is expected to shed more light on the allegations and determine the next steps in the matter.

El-Rufai to Appear Before EFCC After Alleged Airport Arrest Attempt

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Four Sentenced to Death for Murder of Ahoada DPO in Rivers

Published

42 minutes ago

February 12, 2026

Trends Admin

Four Sentenced to Death for Murder of Ahoada DPO in Rivers

A Rivers State High Court in Port Harcourt has sentenced four individuals to death by hanging for their involvement in the brutal killing of Superintendent of Police (SP) Bako Amgbashim, the former Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Ahoada East Division. The verdict, delivered on Thursday, February 12, 2026, marks a major milestone in a high-profile case that captured national attention nearly three years ago.

Justice Sika Aprioku, presiding over the case, found Robinson Sonabari, a native doctor; Bright Okparawo; Precious Amaeze, popularly known as “Selina”; and Loveday Jack, also called “Ragged Excess,” guilty of conspiracy, murder, membership of a secret cult group, and robbery. The judge ruled that the prosecution had proven its case beyond reasonable doubt and ordered that the four convicts be executed by hanging, the maximum penalty under Nigerian law.

Additionally, Samuel Nwadinma, the sixth defendant, was convicted of conspiracy and sentenced to three years’ imprisonment. One defendant was discharged and acquitted due to insufficient evidence, while five others — previously found guilty of cult group membership — were freed after the court noted they had already served the statutory term while in custody.

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The case arose from the murder of SP Bako Amgbashim on September 8, 2023, during a police operation in Odemude community, Ahoada East Local Government Area. The officer was ambushed and killed by suspected cultists, and his body was reportedly mutilated, sparking widespread outrage and prompting intensified security operations in the area.

During the trial, it emerged that Robinson Sonabari played a key role, allegedly preparing the charm used to execute the attack on the late DPO. Prosecutors presented eyewitness testimony, forensic evidence, and confessions, while the defense failed to disprove the charges, leading to the death sentences.

Speaking to journalists after the ruling, lead prosecution counsel Chigozie Amadi of the Rivers State Ministry of Justice described the judgment as a triumph of justice. He was joined by Celestine Dickson, representing the Nigeria Police, who condemned the rising attacks on law enforcement officers and stressed that the ruling would serve as a deterrent to criminal elements targeting security personnel.

Akasco Amgbashim, elder brother of the slain officer, expressed relief at the verdict, thanking the judiciary, the state government, and the police for pursuing justice. He emphasized that the ruling should remind all that no one has the right to unlawfully take another person’s life.

The four condemned convicts were among 72 individuals originally arraigned before the court by a joint prosecution team from the Department of Public Prosecutions and the Rivers State Police Command. During the trial, 61 defendants, including traditional ruler Eze Kelvin Anugwo and former Ahoada East Council Chairman Cassidy Ikegbidi, were discharged and acquitted due to lack of evidence, leaving 13 to face final judgment.

Thursday’s verdict brings closure to a case that began with the tragic murder of SP Amgbashim, reinforced by joint security operations that later led to the killing of a suspected cult leader, David Okparanwo (“2Baba”), believed to have orchestrated the attack. The judgment is seen as a strong statement that violent crimes against law enforcement officers will not go unpunished.

Four Sentenced to Death for Murder of Ahoada DPO in Rivers

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Nigerian Army Rescues Eight Kidnapped Wedding Guests in Kano

Published

49 minutes ago

February 12, 2026

Trends Admin

Nigerian Army Rescues Eight Kidnapped Wedding Guests in Kano

Nigerian Army troops have successfully rescued eight of the ten people abducted during a wedding ceremony in Dabawa, Shanono Local Government Area of Kano State, security sources confirmed on Thursday, February 12, 2026. The operation highlights the military’s ongoing efforts to combat banditry and kidnappings in northern Nigeria.

According to a credible Army Headquarters source, a group of gunmen dressed in military camouflage stormed the wedding on Wednesday, February 11, 2026, and forcibly abducted several guests. The assailants reportedly fled toward neighboring Katsina State after the attack.

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Troops stationed at an ambush position along the Yankwada River line responded immediately after receiving a distress call, pursuing the kidnappers to Garu Village in Katsina. Contact with the fleeing gunmen was later lost along the Katsina–Gidan Mutum Daya road axis, but the operation led to the safe rescue of eight victims, who have now been reunited with their families.

Military authorities confirmed that efforts are ongoing to locate and rescue the remaining two victims still in captivity. Operations in the area continue to prevent further attacks and ensure the safety of local communities.

The rescue operation forms part of a broader counter-kidnapping strategy by the Nigerian military in Kano and neighboring states, aimed at protecting civilians and deterring banditry. Analysts say the swift response demonstrates the effectiveness of intelligence-led operations in combating organized kidnapping networks in northern Nigeria.

Residents have expressed relief and gratitude to the troops, urging continued vigilance and enhanced security measures at public events to prevent similar incidents in the future.