The legal dispute over the suspension of the senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has escalated to the Supreme Court, following a fresh application filed by Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
Court documents seen on Thursday show that Akpabio has asked the apex court to regularise and sustain his appeal challenging earlier rulings by the Federal High Court and the Court of Appeal on the matter.
Akpabio is listed as the appellant, while 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, are listed as respondents.
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.
In a judgment delivered on July 4, 2025, the Federal High Court in Abuja faulted the suspension, describing it as excessive and unconstitutional. Akpabio subsequently appealed and is now seeking leave from the Supreme Court to proceed on grounds of mixed law and fact.
Akpoti-Uduaghan has maintained that her suspension was unlawful and violated her right to fair hearing. Her lawyers have confirmed service of the Supreme Court processes.
The case also includes a related contempt issue arising from a social media post made while the suit was pending.
Keywords: Akpabio, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, Senate suspension, Supreme Court Nigeria, National Assembly
