Akpabio drags Natasha to Supreme Court as Senate suspension row escalates

Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, has again approached the Supreme Court as the legal battle over the suspension of Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, the senator representing Kogi Central, continues to escalate.

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Akpabio has approached the apex court with an application, to regularise and sustain his appeal challenging decisions of the lower courts on the matter.

It partly read, “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 listed as the appellant, while the respondents are 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.

The dispute arose from a February 2025 plenary session during which Akpoti-Uduaghan raised issues of privilege and alleged procedural breaches.

The matter was referred to the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions, which later recommended her suspension.

Dissatisfied, the lawmaker approached the Federal High Court in Abuja, alleging a breach of her right to a fair hearing and non-compliance with the Senate Standing Orders.

In its judgment on July 4, 2025, the court faulted the suspension, describing it as excessive and unconstitutional.

Following proceedings at the Court of Appeal, Akpabio has now taken the case to the Supreme Court, seeking extension of time to apply for leave to appeal, leave 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 governor argued that the Senate acted within its powers under Section 60 of the 1999 Constitution, which allows the National Assembly to regulate its internal procedures.