Senate President Godswill Akpabio has escalated the long-running legal battle over the six-month suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan by filing an application at the Supreme Court to challenge lower court rulings that declared the disciplinary action unconstitutional and excessive.
The move comes after the Federal High Court in Abuja, on July 4, 2025, ruled that the suspension violated principles of fair hearing and did not comply with Senate Standing Orders.
The Court of Appeal later struck out aspects of the Senate's defense in related proceedings, prompting Akpabio to seek appellate intervention at the apex court.In the Supreme Court suit (SC/CV/1111/2025), Akpabio is seeking an extension of time to apply for leave to appeal, leave to appeal on grounds involving mixed law and fact, and an order deeming his notice of appeal and brief of argument as properly filed.
He argues that the Senate acted within its constitutional powers under Section 60 of the 1999 Constitution to regulate its internal procedures and discipline members.
The dispute originated in February 2025 when Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan (Kogi Central) raised points of privilege and protested the reassignment of her seat in the Senate chamber by Akpabio on February 20, 2025.
The issue was referred to the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions, which recommended her suspension for alleged misconduct.
The Senate approved the six-month suspension without pay or privileges, effective March 6, 2025, and her office was sealed.Akpoti-Uduaghan challenged the decision in court, asserting that the process breached her right to fair hearing and violated Senate rules.
She resumed duties on September 23, 2025, after the suspension period ended, though initial access was contested amid ongoing litigation.
A separate contempt issue arose from a social media post by Akpoti-Uduaghan deemed contemptuous during the proceedings; the Federal High Court fined her and ordered a public apology, a ruling she has appealed.
Akpabio's Supreme Court filing contends that the Senate was not obligated to rule immediately on privilege points and that the disciplinary process was lawfully initiated.
The respondents include Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, the Clerk of the National Assembly, the Senate, and the Chairman of the Ethics Committee.
The case has drawn significant attention, raising questions about the balance between legislative autonomy in disciplining members and judicial oversight to protect constitutional rights.
A Supreme Court decision could set important precedents on the scope of parliamentary discipline and the limits of court intervention in National Assembly affairs.
The application was served on Akpoti-Uduaghan’s legal team, with further proceedings expected at the apex court.
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