Akpabio Drags Natasha Akpoti To Supreme Court As Suspension Dispute Deepens

The legal dispute over the suspension of Kogi Central Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has intensified, with Senate President Godswill Akpabio taking the matter to the Supreme Court.

Court documents obtained on Thursday show that Akpabio filed an application at the apex court to formalize and maintain his appeal against lower court rulings on the case.

The documents are filed under SC NO: SC/CV/1111/2025; Appeal No: CA/ABJ/CV/1107/2025; Suit No: FHC/ABJ/CS/384/2025.

The filing states it was made under relevant provisions of the Supreme Court Act and the Nigerian Constitution, as well as the court’s inherent powers.

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 include Natasha Akpoti, the Clerk of the National Assembly, the Senate, and Senator Neda Imasuen, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions.

The dispute dates back to a February 2025 plenary session when Natasha Akpoti raised issues of privilege and alleged procedural breaches.

The matter was referred to the Senate Committee on Ethics, which recommended her six months suspension.

Akpoti-Uduaghan challenged the suspension at the Federal High Court in Abuja, claiming her right to a fair hearing was violated and Senate rules were not followed.

On July 4, 2025, the court ruled the suspension was excessive and unconstitutional.

After proceedings at the Court of Appeal, Akpabio has now approached the Supreme Court, asking for more time to apply for leave to appeal, permission to appeal on points of law and fact, and recognition that his notice of appeal and argument are properly filed.

Akpabio argued that the Senate acted within its powers under Section 60 of the Constitution, which allows it to manage its internal affairs.

He also maintained that the Senate President is not required to immediately rule on every point of privilege and that the disciplinary process was properly followed.

Akpoti-Uduaghan, on the other hand, insisted her suspension was illegal and conducted without due process, saying the Senate failed to adhere to its own rules.

Her lawyers have been served with the Supreme Court documents.

The case also involves a related contempt issue stemming from a social media post by Akpoti-Uduaghan during the proceedings.

The Federal High Court had fined her and ordered a public apology, which she has also appealed.

Akpoti-Uduaghan returned to her duties on September 23, 2025, after serving a six-month suspension and regaining access to her office.

Her office had been sealed since March 6, 2025, following allegations of misconduct during a protest over her seat reassignment.

Even after the suspension ended, her return was delayed due to ongoing legal disputes and resistance from Senate leadership.

After the July 4 judgment, she formally informed the Senate of her intent to resume, but her request was initially denied.

This new development comes just weeks after Akpabio announced plans to withdraw pending court cases against Natasha and some of his opponents.