By Abiola Olawale
The legal battle between the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, and the Senator representing Kogi Central Senatorial District of Kogi State at the Senate, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has reached the apex court of the land.
Akpabio has officially filed an appeal at the Supreme Court, seeking to overturn a previous Court of Appeal decision that favored the Kogi lawmaker regarding her six-month suspension.
The move marks a significant escalation in a political and legal feud that has gripped the National Assembly since early 2025.
The dispute centers on a November 28, 2025, ruling by the Court of Appeal in Abuja. The appellate court had struck out Akpabio’s brief of argument, citing major procedural violations.
Court documents sighted on Thursday showed that Akpabio filed an application before the apex court to regularise and sustain his appeal challenging decisions of the lower courts on the matter.
The documents are marked SC NO: SC/CV/1111/2025. Appeal No: CA/ABJ/CV/1107/2025. Suit No: FHC/ABJ/CS/384/2025.
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 are 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 dispute arose from a February 2025 plenary session during which Akpoti-Uduaghan raised issues of privilege and alleged procedural breaches.
The matter was referred to the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions, which later recommended her suspension.
Dissatisfied, the lawmaker approached the Federal High Court in Abuja, alleging a breach of her right to a fair hearing and non-compliance with the Senate Standing Orders.
In its judgment on July 4, 2025, the court faulted the suspension, describing it as excessive and unconstitutional.
Following proceedings at the Court of Appeal, Akpabio has now taken the case to the Supreme Court, seeking extension of time to apply for leave to appeal, leave to appeal on grounds of mixed law and fact, and an order deeming his notice of appeal and brief of argument as properly filed.
The former governor argued that the Senate acted within its powers under Section 60 of the 1999 Constitution, which allows the National Assembly to regulate its internal procedures.
Akpabio also contended that the Senate President was not under an obligation to immediately rule on every point of privilege and that the Senate lawfully activated its disciplinary process.
Akpoti-Uduaghan, however, has maintained that her suspension was unlawful and carried out without a fair hearing, insisting that the Senate failed to follow its own rules.
The development comes barely two weeks after Akpabio announced that he had decided to withdraw pending court cases against his adversaries.
