Political Tension Peaks As Akpabio Drags Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan Suspension To Supreme Court

The legal battle over the suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central Senatorial District, has entered a new phase as Senate President Godswill Akpabio has approached the Supreme Court to contest appellate rulings connected to the matter.

According to Leadership, Akpabio, acting in his official capacity as President of the Senate, has filed an application before the apex court seeking to regularise and sustain his appeal against the disciplinary action imposed on the Kogi lawmaker.

The dispute has continued to spark nationwide discussions around legislative discipline, constitutional rights, and the scope of parliamentary authority.

Filed at the Supreme Court in Abuja, the suit names Akpabio as the appellant, while the respondents include Senator 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 appeal follows a series of unfavourable rulings at lower courts arising from Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension from Senate activities.

The controversy originated during a Senate plenary session in February 2025, when Akpoti-Uduaghan raised concerns bordering on parliamentary privilege and alleged procedural breaches. Her remarks were subsequently referred to the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions, a process that eventually led to her suspension from legislative duties.

Dissatisfied with the decision, the senator filed a suit at the Federal High Court in Abuja, contending that the suspension violated her constitutional right to fair hearing and contravened the Senate Standing Orders.

In a judgment delivered on July 4, 2025, the trial court examined critical issues relating to parliamentary privilege, internal legislative processes, and the extent of judicial intervention in legislative affairs.

Following further developments at the Court of Appeal, Akpabio has now escalated the case 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 of mixed law and fact, and an order deeming his notice of appeal and brief of argument as properly filed and served.

The motion was brought pursuant to the Supreme Court Act, the Supreme Court Rules, and relevant provisions of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

Akpabio’s legal team argued that the appeal raises significant constitutional and procedural questions deserving determination by the apex court. They maintained that the Senate acted within its constitutional authority under Section 60, which empowers the National Assembly to regulate its internal procedures.

They further argued that a presiding officer is not obligated to immediately rule on every point of privilege raised during plenary and that the Senate lawfully activated its disciplinary mechanisms in response to what it described as disorderly conduct.

However, Akpoti-Uduaghan has consistently maintained that her suspension was unlawful, excessive, and carried out in violation of her right to fair hearing.

She argued that the Senate failed to follow its own Standing Orders before referring her to the ethics committee and imposing sanctions, thereby denying her a fair opportunity to defend herself.

Meanwhile, on Wednesday, January 21, 2026, Akpoti-Uduaghan’s legal team was formally served with the Supreme Court processes, effectively bringing all parties before the apex court.

The matter also involves a related contempt proceeding stemming from a social media post allegedly made by the senator while the case was pending.

The Federal High Court had ruled that the post breached an existing restraining order, imposing a fine and directing Akpoti-Uduaghan to issue a public apology.

She has also appealed that ruling, arguing that the alleged contempt was ex facie curiae and criminal in nature, and therefore required strict adherence to statutory procedures.