The legal dispute over the suspension of Kogi Central Senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has taken a fresh turn as Senate President Godswill Akpabio has approached the Supreme Court to challenge earlier court decisions that faulted the Senate’s action.
Court documents sighted on Thursday show that Akpabio has filed a new appeal at the apex court, seeking to overturn judgments delivered by the Federal High Court and the Court of Appeal, both of which ruled against the Senate in the matter. The appeal comes despite public expectations that the case would be withdrawn following a New Year sermon that urged reconciliation and restraint.
In the suit before the Supreme Court, Akpabio is asking for permission to appeal outside the statutory time frame and is requesting that his notice of appeal and supporting legal arguments be accepted as properly filed. He is listed as the appellant, while Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, the Clerk of the National Assembly, the Senate, and the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Ethics are named as respondents.
The dispute dates back to February 2025, when Akpoti-Uduaghan raised a point of privilege during plenary, accusing the Senate leadership of breaching its own rules. The matter was referred to the Senate Committee on Ethics, which later recommended her suspension, a decision that triggered widespread controversy.
Challenging the suspension, the senator approached the Federal High Court in Abuja, arguing that she was denied a fair hearing and that the Senate violated its Standing Orders. On July 4, 2025, the court ruled that the suspension was excessive and unconstitutional, a verdict later upheld by the Court of Appeal.
In his Supreme Court filing, Akpabio maintains that the Senate acted within its constitutional powers under Section 60 of the 1999 Constitution, which grants the National Assembly authority to regulate its internal proceedings. He further argued that the Senate President is not legally bound to immediately rule on every issue of privilege raised during plenary sessions.
Akpoti-Uduaghan, on her part, has consistently insisted that her suspension was unlawful and politically motivated, arguing that due process was ignored. It has been confirmed that her legal team has been formally served with the Supreme Court processes.
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The case also has a related contempt dimension. During the pendency of the original suit, the senator was fined by the Federal High Court over a social media post deemed to have breached court decorum, and she was ordered to issue a public apology. She is separately appealing that ruling.
Legal analysts say the Supreme Court’s eventual decision could have far-reaching implications for legislative discipline in Nigeria, particularly on the limits of parliamentary authority and the role of the courts in reviewing internal legislative actions.
It would be recalled that Akpoti-Uduaghan resumed her legislative duties on September 23, 2025, after completing her six-month suspension.
