By Kolawole Ojebisi
The suspended lawmaker representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, has called on a Federal High Court to dismiss a suit filed against her by the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio.
Akpabio’s motion, filed on Thursday, is seeking the court to compel Akpoti-Uduaghan to delete a viral satirical apology penned to him days ago.
However, in a swift reaction, Akpoti-Uduaghan filed a counter-affidavit, arguing that her post did not violate the court’s gag order.
The Kogi senator’s legal team, led by Jubril Okutepa, described the Akpabio’s motion as an “attempt to silence and intimidate her”.
“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.
The court is expected to rule on the motion and the counter-affidavit on May 12.
The dispute between Akpabio and the suspended senator began after an altercation in the chamber over seating arrangements.
The Senate disciplinary committee in March suspended Akpoti-Uduaghan in March, and withdrew all her security details
Akpoti-Uduaghan, however, said that there was more to the row than meets the eye, claiming that Akpabio is against her because she turned down his sexual advances.
Meanwhile, Akpoti-Uduaghan days ago penned a satirical apology letter to Akpabio despite a subsisting court order restricting the duo from commenting publicly on the case.
But in a motion on Monday, Akpabio’s legal team, led by Kehinde Ogunwumiju, urged the court to order Akpoti-Uduaghan to delete the post from all her social media platforms.
They also asked the court to mandate her to publish a written apology in at least two national newspapers and file an affidavit confirming compliance.
