Akpabio Takes Kogi Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan Suspension Dispute To Supreme Court
Senate President Godswill Akpabio has escalated the legal dispute over the suspension of Kogi Central Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan to the Supreme Court.
Court documents dated December 1, 2025, obtained on Sunday, confirm that Akpabio has filed the appeal following a Court of Appeal ruling that struck out the Federal Government’s brief in the case.
The Abuja Division of the appellate court had deemed the brief incompetent, citing multiple violations of procedural rules, including incorrect font size and line spacing, exceeding the 35-page limit, and failing to seek leave of court to depart from the rules. The Notice of Appeal itself was also found defective. The court held that these breaches were substantive, undermining the appeal’s validity.
Although Akpabio publicly described the appellate court’s action as “illegal,” records indicate the decision was firmly grounded in law. Dissatisfied with the outcome, the Senate President has now asked the Supreme Court to overturn the judgment and allow him to refile the brief in compliance with procedural requirements.
The move has drawn attention, with legal and political observers describing it as unusual for a Senate President to personally pursue a case. Sources in the National Assembly suggest Akpabio has been closely following the proceedings, raising concerns among sections of the legal community.
The case is further complicated by a history of political tension between Akpabio and Akpoti-Uduaghan. The first-term senator is known for her outspoken criticism of Senate leadership, which insiders say has unsettled the Senate President. A National Assembly source noted:
“This matter has clearly moved beyond the courtroom. It has become a political contest for relevance and dominance.”
Within ruling party circles, some believe influential figures expect Akpabio to curb Akpoti-Uduaghan’s rising profile.
In his Supreme Court appeal, Akpabio contends that the Court of Appeal violated his right to a fair hearing by refusing to grant leave to regularise the defective brief or exceed the page limit. He is seeking to nullify the November 28, 2025, proceedings and refile the brief properly.
Akpoti-Uduaghan’s lawyers confirmed being served with the appeal, describing it as a desperate attempt to overturn a lawful decision. One counsel said:
“Yes, we have been served. But this is just another needless misadventure that will lead to nowhere.”
The senator was suspended for six months in March 2025 after protesting the relocation of her seat during plenary, accusing Akpabio of targeting her and calling him a “dictator.” Although the suspension ended in September, she could not immediately return due to ongoing legal challenges and resistance from Senate leadership. She later resumed office with officials of the Sergeant-at-Arms, insisting she had “no apology to tender.”
With both sides now set to appear before the Supreme Court, the dispute has once again captured national attention, highlighting the intersection of law and politics in the ongoing conflict between the Senate leadership and the Kogi Central senator.
