The legal battle over the suspension of the senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has escalated as the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, has again approached the Supreme Court.
According to court records viewed on Thursday, Akpabio submitted a request to the Supreme Court to regularise and uphold his appeal contesting the lower courts’ rulings in the case.
The documents are marked SC NO: SC/CV/1111/2025. Appeal No:CA/ABJ/CV/1107/2025. 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.”
The respondents are Akpoti-Uduaghan, the Clerk of the National Assembly, the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and Senator Neda Imasuen, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions. Akpabio is identified as the appellant.
The disagreement started when Akpoti-Uduaghan brought up privilege concerns and purported procedural violations at a plenary session in February 2025.
The Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions was tasked with reviewing the case and ultimately suggested that she be suspended.
Disappointed, the legislator filed a complaint with the Federal High Court in Abuja, claiming that the Senate Standing Orders had not been followed and that her right to a fair trial had been violated.
The suspension was deemed disproportionate and illegal by the court in its July 4, 2025 ruling.
After the Court of Appeal’s proceedings, Akpabio has now brought the case before the Supreme Court, requesting an order recognising his notice of appeal and brief of argument as correctly submitted, an extension of time to apply for leave to appeal, and leave to appeal on grounds of mixed law and fact.
The former governor contended that Section 60 of the 1999 Constitution, which permits the National Assembly to control its internal processes, allowed the Senate to operate within its authority.
Akpoti-Uduaghan posted something on social media while the lawsuit was pending, which led to a related contempt issue in the case. She has also contested the Federal High Court’s decision to punish her and compel a public apology.
This new development comes barely two weeks after Akpabio announced during a church service that he had decided to withdraw pending court cases against his adversaries.
Since her suspension due to alleged wrongdoing during a protest against Akpabio’s relocation of her seat on February 20, her office has been sealed since March 6, 2025.
She was unable to return right away because of ongoing legal disputes and opposition from the Senate leadership, even though the suspension ended in September.
She informed the Senate that she intended to return after the July 4 ruling, but her request was first turned down.
