The legal tussle surrounding the suspension of the senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has intensified following a fresh move by Senate President Godswill Akpabio to the Supreme Court.
Court documents sighted on Thursday reveal that Akpabio has filed an application before the apex court seeking to regularise and sustain his appeal against earlier decisions of the Federal High Court and the Court of Appeal relating to the controversial suspension. The matter is listed as SC No: SC/CV/1111/2025, arising from Appeal No: CA/ABJ/CV/1107/2025 and Suit No: FHC/ABJ/CS/384/2025.
In the application, Akpabio is named as the appellant. At the same time, Akpoti-Uduaghan is joined as the first respondent alongside 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.
The dispute traces its roots to a Senate plenary session in February 2025, during which Akpoti-Uduaghan raised issues of privilege and alleged breaches of Senate procedure. The matter was subsequently referred to the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions, which recommended her suspension from legislative duties.
Challenging the decision, the Kogi Central lawmaker approached the Federal High Court in Abuja, arguing that the process violated her constitutional right to a fair hearing and failed to comply with the Senate Standing Orders. In a judgment delivered on 4 July 2025, the court found the suspension excessive and unconstitutional.
Despite the ruling, the matter has continued to wind its way through the courts. Akpabio is now asking the Supreme Court for an extension of time to apply for leave to appeal, permission to appeal on grounds of mixed law and fact, and an order deeming his notice of appeal and brief of argument as properly filed.
The former Akwa Ibom State governor maintains that the Senate acted within its constitutional authority under Section 60 of the 1999 Constitution, which empowers the National Assembly to regulate its internal procedures. He also argues that the Senate President is not obliged to rule on every point of privilege immediately and that the disciplinary process was lawfully initiated.
Akpoti-Uduaghan, however, has consistently maintained that her suspension was unlawful and procedurally flawed. Her legal team insists the Senate failed to follow its own rules and denied her a fair hearing. It was confirmed on Thursday that her lawyers have been served with the Supreme Court processes.
The case also involves a related contempt issue stemming from a social media post made by the senator while the suit was pending. In that matter, the Federal High Court imposed a fine and ordered a public apology, a decision she has also appealed.
Legal observers say the Supreme Court’s eventual ruling could provide important clarification on the limits of legislative discipline and the extent to which courts can intervene in parliament’s internal affairs.
The development comes just weeks after Akpabio publicly announced his intention to withdraw pending court cases against political adversaries, adding further intrigue to an already high-profile constitutional dispute.
