The legal contest surrounding the suspension of the senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has intensified, with Senate President Godswill Akpabio approaching the Supreme Court to challenge earlier court rulings on the matter.
Documents obtained on Thursday showed that Akpabio filed an application before the apex court, seeking to regularise and sustain his appeal against decisions delivered by the Federal High Court and the Court of Appeal.
The suit, filed under multiple court references, was brought pursuant to relevant provisions of the Supreme Court Rules, the Supreme Court Act and the 1999 Constitution, as amended.
In the appeal, 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, when Akpoti-Uduaghan raised a point of privilege and alleged breaches of procedure on the floor of the Red Chamber.
Her complaint was subsequently referred to the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions, which later recommended her suspension from legislative duties.
Challenging the decision, the lawmaker approached the Federal High Court in Abuja, arguing that the process violated her right to fair hearing and failed to comply with the Senate Standing Orders.
In a judgment delivered on July 4, 2025, the court faulted the suspension, describing it as excessive and inconsistent with constitutional provisions.
Dissatisfied with the outcome of the lower courts, Akpabio has now asked the Supreme Court for an extension of time to seek leave to appeal, permission to appeal on grounds of mixed law and fact, and an order validating his notice of appeal and brief of argument.
The Senate President contended that the Senate acted within its constitutional powers under Section 60 of the 1999 Constitution, which empowers the National Assembly to regulate its internal proceedings.
He also argued that presiding officers are not bound to immediately rule on every point of privilege and that the Senate lawfully activated its disciplinary mechanisms.
Akpoti-Uduaghan, however, has maintained that her suspension was unlawful, insisting that she was denied fair hearing and that the Senate failed to follow its own rules.
It was confirmed on Thursday that her legal team had been served with the Supreme Court processes.
The case also features a related contempt issue arising from a social media post made by the senator while the matter was pending in court, for which the Federal High Court imposed a fine and ordered a public apology, a decision she has equally appealed.
Legal observers said the Supreme Court’s eventual ruling may offer clarity on the scope of legislative discipline and the extent of judicial oversight over parliamentary affairs.
Akpoti-Uduaghan resumed duties on September 23, 2025, after completing a six-month suspension, although her return was delayed by lingering legal disputes and resistance from the Senate leadership despite the suspension having lapsed.