The Court of Appeal has reserved judgment in the Akpabio Akpoti case over the legality of Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension and related cross-appeals
The Court of Appeal in Abuja has told reporters it has reserved judgment in the Akpabio Akpoti case, following the adoption of briefs of argument by both parties on Friday.
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The three-member panel reached the decision after hearing competing positions on the legality of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension from the Senate.
Counsel for Senate President Godswill Akpabio urged the appellate court to overturn the Federal High Court verdict that nullified the six-month suspension.
His team maintained that the lower court acted without jurisdiction because the dispute, they argued, falls squarely within parliamentary internal affairs, which are protected from judicial intrusion under Section 251 of the 1999 Constitution and the Legislative Houses Powers and Privileges Act.
In a powerful submission, Akpabio’s cross-appeal further claimed that the trial court erred by issuing directives that allegedly interfered with Senate procedures.
Lead counsel Kehinde Ogunwumiju SAN insisted the ruling undermined legislative autonomy.
Akpoti-Uduaghan, who returned to her seat after the High Court set aside her suspension, is pressing her own appeal against a five million naira fine imposed over a satirical Facebook post.
She argued that the contempt decision breached her fundamental rights and lacked any solid legal footing.
The intertwined appeals stem from her rights suit seeking to halt an investigation into alleged misconduct.
Several appeal numbers, including CA/ABJ/CJ/739/2025 and CA/ABJ/CJ/1208/2025, were consolidated as they all originated from the same dispute.
During proceedings, Akpabio’s counsel Eko Ejembi Eko SAN withdrew one cross-appeal on the grounds that it had been overtaken by events since Akpoti-Uduaghan had already resumed her legislative duties.
The court dismissed the withdrawn matter accordingly.
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The Court of Appeal is expected to communicate the judgment date to the parties once it is set.
Quadri Olaitan is a journalist and contributor to Freelanews.com, covering news, public affairs, and human-interest stories.
