The legal tussle surrounding the suspension of the Senator representing Kogi Central, Mrs Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has taken a fresh turn as Senate President Godswill Akpabio has approached the Supreme Court.
Court filings sighted on Thursday indicate that Akpabio has submitted an application before the apex court, seeking to validate and sustain his appeal against earlier rulings delivered by lower courts on the matter.
The suit, listed as SC No: SC/CV/1111/2025, stems from Appeal No: CA/ABJ/CV/1107/2025 and Suit No: FHC/ABJ/CS/384/2025, which were previously determined at the Federal High Court and the Court of Appeal.
According to the court documents, the Senate President is asking the Supreme Court for an extension of time to seek leave to appeal, permission to appeal on grounds involving mixed law and facts, and an order recognising his notice of appeal and accompanying brief as duly filed.
Akpabio is named as the appellant, while the respondents include 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 traces back to a Senate plenary session in February 2025, during which Akpoti-Uduaghan raised issues bordering on privilege and alleged breaches of Senate procedures.
The matter 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 senator approached the Federal High Court in Abuja, arguing that her suspension violated her right to fair hearing and failed to comply with the Senate Standing Orders.
In its judgment delivered on July 4, 2025, the Federal High Court faulted the suspension, describing it as excessive and inconsistent with constitutional provisions.
Following proceedings at the Court of Appeal, Akpabio has now escalated the matter to the Supreme Court, insisting that the Senate acted within its constitutional powers.
The Senate President argued that Section 60 of the 1999 Constitution empowers the National Assembly to regulate its internal affairs, including disciplinary measures against its members.
He also maintained that the presiding officer is not required to immediately rule on every point of privilege raised on the floor, adding that the Senate lawfully initiated its internal disciplinary mechanism.
In response, Akpoti-Uduaghan has continued to insist that her suspension was unlawful, stressing that she was denied fair hearing and that the Senate failed to follow its own rules.
It was confirmed that her legal team has been duly served with the Supreme Court processes.
The case also includes a related contempt issue linked to a social media post made by the senator while the matter was pending in court. In that case, the Federal High Court fined her and ordered a public apology, a decision she has equally appealed.
Legal analysts say the outcome of the case could provide clarity on the scope of legislative discipline and the extent of judicial oversight.
The latest move comes barely weeks after Akpabio publicly announced his intention to withdraw pending court cases against some political opponents.
Akpoti-Uduaghan resumed legislative duties on September 23, 2025, after completing her six-month suspension and regaining access to her office at the National Assembly.
