Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan and Senate President Akpabio face off in court over mutual contempt claims stemming from a Senate dispute and suspension controversy.

Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan appeared at the Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday in anticipation of the hearing concerning allegations made by Senate President Godswill Akpabio. Akpabio has accused the senator of violating a court order.

According to a report by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Justice Binta Nyako had scheduled the hearing for Tuesday, following an earlier ruling on Monday. The court session is set to address the contempt allegation brought by Akpabio against Akpoti-Uduaghan.

In addition to this, Justice Nyako is also expected to hear a previous contempt case initiated by Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan. The senator had filed the charge against Senate President Akpabio, the Nigerian Senate, and others, accusing them of failing to comply with an earlier court directive.

The legal conflict between the two lawmakers dates back to February, when a confrontation erupted over seating arrangements during a Senate plenary session. The tension escalated when Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, during an appearance on a television programme, alleged that Senate President Akpabio had sexually harassed her.

In response to these events, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central, filed a suit at the Federal High Court seeking to restrain the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions from launching an investigation into her conduct.

On March 4, the court granted her ex parte application and issued an order barring the Senate from initiating any disciplinary proceedings against her. Despite the court's order, however, the Senate proceeded to suspend her on March 6, citing findings in a committee report that accused her of gross misconduct.