Senate President Godswill Akpabio has appealed to the Supreme Court in a bid to overturn a lower court’s ruling that deemed the suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan unlawful, escalating a protracted dispute over legislative discipline and procedural rights.
The move, filed under case number SC/CV/1111/2025, comes despite Akpoti-Uduaghan having served her six-month suspension and resumed duties in September 2025, with Akpabio arguing the Senate acted within its constitutional powers.
Akpabio’s application seeks an extension of time to appeal, leave on grounds of mixed law and fact, and validation of his notice and brief, invoking Order 4 Rules 6 & 16 of the Supreme Court 2024, among other legal provisions.
He contends that under Section 60 of the 1999 Constitution, the National Assembly regulates its own procedures, and that the Senate President is not required to rule immediately on every point of privilege raised.
The controversy erupted in February 2025 when Akpoti-Uduaghan protested the reassignment of her seat, leading to her suspension recommendation by the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions for alleged misconduct.
Her office was sealed on March 6, 2025, prompting her to sue at the Federal High Court in Abuja, where Justice Gladys Olotu on July 4 declared the action excessive and a breach of fair hearing rights.
Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central, has consistently argued the suspension violated Senate Standing Orders and denied her due process.
Her legal team confirmed receipt of the Supreme Court documents, signaling readiness to contest the appeal.
A related contempt charge stemmed from her social media post during the suit, resulting in a fine and ordered apology, which she has also appealed.
The case unfolds just weeks after Akpabio publicly vowed to drop pending litigations against opponents, raising questions about consistency in his approach.
