Akpabio Moves Supreme Court Over Suspension Of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan
Senate President Godswill Akpabio has taken the legal dispute over the suspension of Kogi Central Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan to the Supreme Court.
Court documents obtained on Thursday show that Akpabio filed an application to regularize and sustain his appeal challenging decisions of lower courts in the matter. The filings carry Supreme Court number SC/CV/1111/2025, Appeal number CA/ABJ/CV/1107/2025, and Federal High Court suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/384/2025.
The motion, filed under the Supreme Court Act and the Constitution, seeks to have Akpabio’s notice of appeal and brief of argument recognized as properly submitted. The appellant is Akpabio, while the respondents include Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, the Clerk of the National Assembly, the Senate, and Senator Neda Imasuen, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions.
The conflict arose from a February 2025 Senate plenary session in which Akpoti-Uduaghan raised concerns about privilege and alleged procedural breaches. The matter was referred to the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions, which recommended her suspension.
Akpoti-Uduaghan challenged the suspension at the Federal High Court in Abuja, claiming violations of her right to a fair hearing and noncompliance with Senate standing orders. The court ruled on July 4, 2025, that the suspension was harsh and unlawful.
Following proceedings at the Court of Appeal, Akpabio is now seeking Supreme Court intervention to extend time to apply for leave to appeal, obtain permission to appeal on mixed law and fact grounds, and confirm the validity of his submissions. He argued that the Senate acted within its constitutional powers under Section 60 of the 1999 Constitution, which allows the National Assembly to regulate its internal operations, and that the Senate President is not obliged to rule on every privilege issue immediately.
Akpoti-Uduaghan has maintained that her suspension was illegal and executed without a fair hearing, claiming that Senate procedures were not properly followed. She and her lawyers confirmed receiving Supreme Court processes on Thursday.
The case also includes a related contempt issue arising from a social media post by Akpoti-Uduaghan while the matter was pending. The Federal High Court had fined her and ordered a public apology, an order she has also appealed.
The Supreme Court’s decision is expected to clarify the limits of legislative disciplinary powers and judicial oversight. The legal developments come just two weeks after Akpabio announced plans to withdraw pending court cases.
Akpoti-Uduaghan’s office has been closed since her suspension on March 6, 2025, following allegations of misconduct during a protest against Akpabio’s relocation of her Senate seat on February 20. Although the ban was set to expire in September, she has been unable to resume work due to ongoing legal battles and opposition from Senate leadership. After the July 4 High Court ruling, she informed the Senate of her intent to return, but her request was initially blocked.
