The Senator Representing Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has formally challenged the N5 million fine imposed on her by the Federal High Court in Abuja for alleged contempt.

The federal lawmaker argued that the trial judge lacked the legal power to punish a comment made outside the courtroom on her Facebook page.

In a notice of appeal obtained by our Correspondent on Friday, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan is asking the Court of Appeal to overturn the entire decision of Justice Binta Nyako delivered on July 4, 2025.

The High Court Judgment had found the Kogi Central senator guilty of contempt and ordered her to pay a punitive fine of N5 million and tender a public apology in two national dailies and on her Facebook page.

Akpoti-Uduaghan's counsel contended that the post was unrelated to the court order concerning her suspension and referred instead to a separate issue involving sexual harassment allegations against Akpabio.

The senator is now appealing the ruling on six grounds, insisting that the Federal High Court lacked the requisite jurisdiction to entertain an alleged contempt ex facie curiae involving the imposition of fine which is criminal in nature.

She further argues that the contempt charge stemmed from a satirical apology she posted online, a post she claims was unrelated to the judicial proceedings before Justice Nyako.

The senator is also asking the appellate court to rule that the award of N5,000,000.00 against the Appellant is excessive and punitive, describing the underlying offence as minor and based on a misunderstanding of the court’s previous orders.