The protracted legal tussle over the suspension of the senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has entered a new phase, with Senate President Godswill Akpabio approaching the Supreme Court for redress.
Court documents obtained on Thursday indicate that Akpabio has filed an application before the apex court seeking to regularise and sustain his appeal against judgments of the lower courts which faulted the Senate’s decision to suspend the lawmaker.
The processes, marked SC No: SC/CV/1111/2025, Appeal No: CA/ABJ/CV/1107/2025 and Suit No: FHC/ABJ/CS/384/2025, show that Akpabio is listed as the appellant, while 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, are named as respondents.
In the motion on notice, Akpabio is asking the Supreme Court for an extension of time to seek leave to appeal, leave to appeal on grounds of mixed law and fact, and an order deeming his notice of appeal and accompanying brief of argument as properly filed and served.
The dispute stems from a plenary session of the Senate in February 2025, during which Akpoti-Uduaghan raised issues bordering on privilege and alleged procedural infractions. The matter was subsequently referred to the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions, which recommended her suspension. The Senate adopted the recommendation, leading to her removal from plenary activities and the sealing of her office.
Challenging the action, Akpoti-Uduaghan approached the Federal High Court in Abuja, arguing that her suspension breached her right to fair hearing and violated the Senate Standing Orders. In its judgment delivered on July 4, 2025, the court set aside the suspension, describing it as excessive and unconstitutional.
Following proceedings at the Court of Appeal, Akpabio has now escalated the matter to the Supreme Court, insisting that the Senate acted within its constitutional powers. He argued that Section 60 of the 1999 Constitution empowers the National Assembly to regulate its internal affairs and that the Senate President was not required to immediately rule on every point of privilege raised on the floor.
The Senate President further contended that the disciplinary process activated against Akpoti-Uduaghan was lawful and in line with established parliamentary practice.
Akpoti-Uduaghan, on her part, has maintained that the suspension was unlawful and carried out without affording her a fair hearing, insisting that the Senate failed to comply with its own rules. It was confirmed on Thursday that her legal team had been duly served with the Supreme Court processes.
The case also touches on a related contempt issue arising from a social media post made by Akpoti-Uduaghan while the suit was pending. The Federal High Court had fined her and ordered a public apology, a ruling she has equally appealed.
Legal analysts say the outcome of the Supreme Court proceedings could provide clarity on the scope of legislative disciplinary powers and the extent of judicial oversight in parliamentary matters.
The development comes barely weeks after Akpabio publicly announced his intention to withdraw pending court cases against some of his adversaries.
Akpoti-Uduaghan resumed her legislative 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 the suspension linked to alleged misconduct during a protest over the reassignment of her seat on February 20.
Despite the expiration of the suspension in September, her return was delayed by the ongoing legal disputes and resistance from the Senate leadership. After the July 4 judgment, she formally notified the Senate of her intention to resume duties, but the request was initially declined.
