The legal dispute surrounding the suspension of the senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has moved to Nigeria’s highest court, following a fresh appeal filed by Senate President Godswill Akpabio at the Supreme Court.
Court documents obtained on Thursday show that Akpabio has approached the apex court seeking to regularise and sustain his appeal against judgments delivered by lower courts in the matter. The filings relate to cases previously heard at the Federal High Court and the Court of Appeal in Abuja.
In the suit, Akpabio is listed as the appellant, while 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, are named as respondents.
The dispute traces back to a Senate plenary session in February 2025, during which Akpoti-Uduaghan raised matters of privilege and alleged breaches of Senate procedure. The Senate leadership subsequently referred the issue to the Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions, which recommended her suspension.
Challenging the decision, Akpoti-Uduaghan filed a suit at the Federal High Court in Abuja, arguing that the disciplinary process violated her constitutional right to a fair hearing and failed to comply with the Senate Standing Orders.
In a judgment delivered on July 4, 2025, the Federal High Court ruled in her favour, describing the suspension as excessive and unconstitutional. The court held that due process had not been adequately followed in imposing the sanction.
Following further proceedings at the Court of Appeal, Akpabio has now escalated the matter to the Supreme Court. In his application, he is seeking an extension of time to apply for leave to appeal, permission to appeal on grounds involving mixed law and fact, and an order validating his notice of appeal and brief of argument.
Akpabio’s legal team argues that the Senate acted within its constitutional authority under Section 60 of the 1999 Constitution, which empowers the National Assembly to regulate its internal affairs. He also contends that the Senate President is not required to immediately rule on every issue of privilege raised on the floor and that the chamber lawfully invoked its disciplinary mechanisms.
Akpoti-Uduaghan, on her part, has maintained that her suspension was unlawful and imposed without affording her a fair hearing. She insists that the Senate failed to adhere to its own rules and procedures in handling the matter. It was confirmed on Thursday that her legal representatives have been formally served with the Supreme Court processes.
The case also includes a related contempt issue arising from a social media post made by Akpoti-Uduaghan while the suit was pending. The Federal High Court had imposed a fine and ordered her to issue a public apology, a decision she has also appealed.
Legal analysts say the Supreme Court’s ruling could have far-reaching implications, particularly in defining the boundaries of legislative discipline and the extent to which courts can intervene in the internal affairs of the National Assembly.
The development comes barely weeks after Akpabio publicly announced his intention to withdraw pending court cases against his political adversaries.
Akpoti-Uduaghan completed her six-month suspension and resumed duties on September 23, 2025, after regaining access to her office at the National Assembly. Her office had been sealed since March 6, 2025, following her suspension over alleged misconduct linked to a protest against the reassignment of her Senate seat on February 20.
Although the suspension officially lapsed in September, her return was delayed by the ongoing legal dispute and resistance from Senate leadership. After the July 4 court judgment, she formally notified the Senate of her intention to resume duties, but the request was initially declined.
