The Nigerian Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, has escalated the legal dispute surrounding the suspension of the Kogi Central senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, to the Supreme Court in a court filing reviewed on Thursday, indicating that the Senate President applied to the apex court, praying to regularize and uphold his appeal against the rulings of the lower courts in the case.
The case files numbered: SC NO: SC/CV/1111/2025. Appeal No: CA/ABJ/CV/1107/2025. Suit No: FHC/ABJ/CS/384/2025.
It reads, “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 named as the appellant in the suit, with 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, listed as respondents.
The controversy emanated from when Akpoti-Uduaghan invoked matters of privilege and accused the Senate of procedural violations during a plenary session held in February 2025. The issue was subsequently referred to the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions, which later advised that she be suspended.
Challenging the decision, Akpoti-Uduaghan filed a lawsuit at the Federal High Court in Abuja, claiming that her right to a fair hearing had been violated and that the Senate failed to follow its Standing Orders.
The Court, in its judgment delivered on July 4, 2025, ruled against the suspension, labeling it excessive and unconstitutional.
Akpabio, who was dissatisfied with the pronouncement at the Court of Appeal, has proceeded to the Supreme Court, where he is requesting an extension of time to seek leave to appeal, permission to appeal on the basis involving both law and fact, and an order validating his notice of appeal and filed brief of argument.
The Senate President maintained that the Senate exercised its authority under Section 60 of the 1999 Constitution, which empowers the National Assembly to manage and regulate its internal affairs.
He further argued that the Senate President was not required to give an immediate ruling on every matter of privilege and that the Senate properly invoked its disciplinary procedures in accordance with the law.
Akpoti-Uduaghan, on her part, has consistently argued that her suspension was illegal and imposed without due process, asserting that the Senate did not comply with its own protocols.
Meanwhile, it has been confirmed that her legal team had been served with the pertinent Supreme Court documents.
The matter also includes a linked contempt allegation coming from a post made on social media by Akpoti-Uduaghan, at the time the case was still before the court. The Federal High Court had imposed a fine on her and directed her to issue a public apology, a ruling she has likewise challenged on appeal.
This development followed just two weeks after Akpabio disclosed his decision to discontinue ongoing court cases against his opponents.
Akpoti-Uduaghan returned to her official duties and reclaimed access to her office at the National Assembly on September 23, 2025, after serving a six-month suspension, effective from March 6, 2025, over alleged misconduct during a protest against the reassignment of her seat by Akpabio on February 20, 2025.
