Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central in the National Assembly, has filed an appeal challenging a ruling by the Federal High Court in Abuja that found her guilty of contempt and imposed a ₦5 million fine.

In a notice of appeal dated July 9, the lawmaker is asking the Court of Appeal to overturn the ruling delivered by Justice Binta Nyako, which also ordered her to publish a public apology in two national newspapers and on her Facebook page within seven days.

The case stems from a satirical apology Akpoti-Uduaghan posted on Facebook in April, directed at Senate President Godswill Akpabio, which the court deemed a violation of its earlier order restraining parties from publicly commenting on the ongoing suit.

Filed by her counsel, Roland Otaru (SAN), the appeal is premised on six grounds, principally arguing that the trial court lacked jurisdiction to entertain contempt proceedings for an alleged offence committed ex facie curiae that is, outside the courtroom.

According to the appeal, the offence being criminal in nature required adherence to proper criminal procedure and the provisions of the Sheriffs and Civil Process Act, which the trial court allegedly failed to observe.

“The trial court lacked the requisite jurisdiction to entertain an alleged contempt ex facie curiae involving the imposition of a criminal fine against the appellant without compliance with due process,” the appeal read in part.

Akpoti-Uduaghan further contended that the contemptuous act was allegedly committed on her personal Facebook page—outside the immediate purview of the court—and should have been adjudicated by a different judge under regular criminal trial procedures.

“The proper procedure for contempt committed ex facie curiae is to initiate proceedings before another judge, following the established criminal process,” her counsel argued.

The senator also accused the trial court of breaching her right to fair hearing by summarily convicting her of contempt without following legally prescribed procedures.

She maintained that the satirical statement in question, dated April 27, was unrelated to the matter before the court, as it concerned a sexual harassment allegation which was not part of the ongoing litigation.

“The trial court erred by finding the appellant liable over a subject matter that was not before it. The ruling is therefore not only erroneous but perverse,” the appeal stated.

In addition, she argued that the trial court overstepped its bounds by imposing a criminal fine not requested in the reliefs sought by the third respondent.

“The law is settled that a court must confine itself to the reliefs sought in any application. Substituting the requested reliefs with new, extraneous orders constitutes judicial overreach and resulted in a miscarriage of justice,” the notice of appeal added.

Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan is urging the Court of Appeal to set aside Justice Nyako’s ruling in Suit No: FHC/ABJ/CS/384/2025, delivered on July 4, 2025.