Senate President Godswill Akpabio and other top lawmakers risk imprisonment for allegedly defying a Federal High Court order. Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan initiated contempt proceedings, leading to the issuance of Form 48, which serves as a legal warning.
The dispute stems from a lawsuit (FHC/ABJ/CS/384/2025) filed against Akpabio, the Senate, and its Ethics Committee Chair, Senator Neda Imasuem. The court had restrained the Senate from probing Akpoti-Uduaghan over alleged misconduct in a February 20 plenary session. However, the Senate reportedly ignored this directive, prompting the contempt case.
The court emphasized that violating its orders renders the defendants liable for imprisonment unless they comply. If escalated to Form 49, Akpabio and others may face direct committal proceedings, forcing them to justify their actions or face severe penalties.
Legal experts believe the case could significantly impact Senate operations and Akpabio’s leadership, with political observers watching closely for the next developments.
