Again, Akpabio heads to S’Court over Sen. Natasha’s suspension

The legal battle over the suspension of the senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has escalated as Senate President Godswill Akpabio has again approached the Supreme Court.

Court documents sighted on Thursday showed that Akpabio filed an application before the apex court seeking to regularise and sustain his appeal against earlier decisions of lower courts on the matter.

The application is challenging rulings linked to the suspension of the Kogi Central lawmaker, which has continued to generate legal and political controversy.

The documents are marked SC No: SC/CV/1111/2025, Appeal No: CA/ABJ/CV/1107/2025 and Suit No: FHC/ABJ/CS/384/2025.

It partly read, “Motion on Notice brought pursuant to Order 4 Rules 6 & 16 of the Supreme Court 2024 Sections 22, 27 (1) 4, 2 & 4 and 29 of the Supreme Court ACT CAP S.15 Laws of the Federal Law Section 233 (1) and 3 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (As Amended) and under the inherent jurisdiction of this Honourable Court.”

Akpabio is listed as the appellant, while the respondents are Akpoti-Uduaghan, the Clerk of the National Assembly, the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions, Senator Neda Imasuen.

The dispute arose from a February 2025 plenary session during which Akpoti-Uduaghan raised issues of privilege and alleged procedural breaches.

The matter was referred to the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions, which later recommended her suspension.

Dissatisfied, the lawmaker approached the Federal High Court in Abuja, alleging a breach of her right to a fair hearing and non-compliance with the Senate Standing Orders.

In its judgment on July 4, 2025, the court faulted the suspension, describing it as excessive and unconstitutional.

Following proceedings at the Court of Appeal, Akpabio has now taken the case to the Supreme Court, seeking extension of time to apply for leave to appeal, leave to appeal on grounds of mixed law and fact, and an order deeming his notice of appeal and brief of argument as properly filed.

The former governor argued that the Senate acted within its powers under Section 60 of the 1999 Constitution, which allows the National Assembly to regulate its internal procedures.

Akpabio also contended that the Senate President was not under an obligation to immediately rule on every point of privilege and that the Senate lawfully activated its disciplinary process.

Akpoti-Uduaghan, however, has maintained that her suspension was unlawful and carried out without a fair hearing, insisting that the Senate failed to follow its own rules.

It was confirmed on Thursday that her lawyers had been served with the Supreme Court processes.

The case also involves a related contempt issue arising from a social media post by Akpoti-Uduaghan while the suit was pending. The Federal High Court had fined her and ordered a public apology, a decision she has also appealed.

Legal watchers say the Supreme Court’s decision could clarify the limits of legislative discipline and judicial intervention.

The development comes barely two weeks after Akpabio announced that he had decided to withdraw pending court cases against his adversaries.

Akpoti-Uduaghan resumed duties on September 23, 2025, after completing a six-month suspension and regaining access to her office at the National Assembly.

Her office had been sealed since March 6, 2025, following her suspension over alleged misconduct during a protest against the reassignment of her seat by Akpabio on February 20.

Despite the suspension lapsing in September, she was unable to return immediately due to ongoing legal battles and resistance from the Senate leadership.

Following the July 4 judgment, she notified the Senate of her intention to resume, but the request was initially rejected.

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