Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan of Kogi Central, has dismissed an appeal filed by Senate President Godswill Akpabio challenging a Federal High Court ruling that overturned her suspension from the Senate.
The appeal, filed on July 14 at the Court of Appeal in Abuja, seeks to reverse the July 4 judgment delivered by Justice Binta Nyako, which declared Akpoti-Uduaghan’s six-month suspension “excessive” and without legal justification.
Akpabio’s legal team argues that the Federal High Court lacked jurisdiction to interfere in what they describe as the internal affairs of the National Assembly, citing Section 251 of the 1999 Constitution. The appeal, marked CA/A//2025, stems from suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/384/2025 initiated by Akpoti-Uduaghan to challenge her suspension.
The Senate President also criticized the court for rejecting his preliminary objection and for issuing orders that, in his view, encroach upon parliamentary procedures protected under the Legislative Houses (Powers and Privileges) Act. He insisted that disciplinary actions during plenary, such as suspensions and resolutions, are not subject to judicial review.
Furthermore, Akpabio argued that Akpoti-Uduaghan’s lawsuit was premature, as she had not exhausted the Senate’s internal mechanisms for redress—specifically the Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions—as required by the Senate Standing Orders, 2023 (as amended).
He also accused the trial court of denying him a fair hearing, claiming the judge raised and ruled on issues, including the proportionality of the suspension, that were not addressed by either party during the trial.
Attempts to obtain a formal statement from Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan were unsuccessful. However, during a brief interaction at the screening of Double Minority, a documentary by Daria Media in partnership with the MacArthur Foundation, she was asked if she intended to resume her Senate duties. She declined to comment but reacted sharply when questioned about Akpabio’s appeal:
“Did you also ask him to tell you why he appealed it?” she retorted before leaving the venue.
The controversy stems from a February 20, 2025 incident, when a dispute erupted between Akpoti-Uduaghan and Akpabio over seating arrangements in the chamber. The senator later accused the Senate President of sexual harassment and alleged he offered political favours in exchange for compliance.
Her petition was dismissed by the Senate Committee on Ethics on procedural grounds, and she was suspended for six months for “unruly behavior,” losing access to her office, salary, and security detail.
On July 4, Justice Nyako ruled that the suspension was disproportionate and violated her constituents’ right to representation. While the court imposed a N5 million fine on her for contempt—linked to a social media post—it ordered her immediate reinstatement to the Senate.
