Natasha’s Defiance Is ‘Pennywise, Pound Foolish’ – Monday Ubani Urges Youths to Learn

Natasha’s Defiance Is ‘Pennywise, Pound Foolish’ – Monday Ubani Urges Youths to Learn

By Oki Samson

Renowned legal practitioner and human rights advocate, Dr. Monday Ubani, SAN, has described the actions of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan in defying the Nigerian Senate’s resolution as a “classic case of being pennywise, pound foolish.” His comments follow a recent court ruling that mandates the senator to issue a public apology and pay a financial penalty for her prolonged defiance.

Recall that Senator Natasha had earlier been suspended by the upper chamber of the National Assembly, a move she vehemently resisted. Rather than comply with the Senate’s call for an apology, she took the legislative body to court in a bid to overturn the suspension.

However, the court ruling, now made public, not only upheld the Senate’s position but went further to compel her to apologise to her colleagues, the Senate as an institution, and the Nigerian public.

According to the judgment, Senator Natasha must tender a public apology on the floor of the Senate, publish apologies in two national newspapers, and on her official Facebook page. Additionally, she has been fined ₦5 million, payable to the Federal Government.

Reacting to the development, Dr. Ubani told the National Association of Online Security News Publishers (NAOSNP) that the matter could have been resolved amicably had Senator Natasha simply heeded the Senate’s request for an apology back in February.

"After months of defiance, the court has ruled decisively against Senator Natasha. Despite being asked to apologise through a Senate resolution, she chose litigation. Five months later, the outcome is clear: she must now do exactly what she was initially asked to do — but with heavier consequences," he said.

Ubani further advised young Nigerians to take a valuable lesson from the incident. “Defiance against constituted authority—whether in public office, workplace, or civil institutions—must be approached with wisdom and caution. There’s always a time for dialogue, humility, and strategic resolution,” he emphasized.

The legal luminary urged Nigerian youths to understand the difference between courage and recklessness, warning that disrespect for due process and institutional authority may lead to avoidable consequences.

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