Akpabio escalates Natasha suspension case to Supreme Court

Akpabio Supreme Court appeal follows an appellate court ruling that struck out filings linked to Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension

Senate President Godswill Akpabio has filed an appeal at the Supreme Court, seeking to overturn a Court of Appeal ruling arising from the suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central Senatorial District.

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Court documents dated December 1, 2025, obtained on Sunday, confirmed that the Akpabio Supreme Court appeal followed a judgment of the Court of Appeal, Abuja Division, which struck out the Federal Government’s brief of argument linked to the case.

The appellate court ruled that the brief was incompetent for failing to comply with mandatory provisions of the Court of Appeal Rules governing formatting and procedure.

Certified records of proceedings showed that the court struck out the brief after finding multiple breaches, including the use of an incorrect font size and line spacing, exceeding the 35-page limit, and failing to obtain leave of court to depart from procedural rules.

The court also held that the Notice of Appeal itself was defective, concluding that the violations were substantive and went to the root of the appeal’s competence.

Although Akpabio had publicly described the ruling as illegal, the records showed that the justices relied strictly on procedural compliance in reaching their decision.

Dissatisfied with the outcome, Akpabio approached the Supreme Court, arguing that the Court of Appeal violated his right to fair hearing by refusing to grant leave to regularise the defective brief or extend the page limit.

In the Notice of Appeal, the Senate President urged the apex court to set aside the proceedings of November 28, 2025, nullify the judgment, and allow him to refile his brief in compliance with the rules.

Akpabio’s decision to personally pursue the case has drawn public attention, with some legal observers describing it as unusual for a sitting Senate President.

Sources within the National Assembly said Akpabio had shown intense interest in the matter, a development that has raised concerns among sections of the legal community.

The case has also been shaped by prolonged political tension between Akpabio and Akpoti-Uduaghan, who has emerged as a vocal critic of Senate leadership during her first term.

A National Assembly source said the dispute had taken on broader political significance, describing it as a struggle for influence and dominance beyond the courtroom.

Akpoti-Uduaghan’s legal team confirmed receipt of the Supreme Court documents and expressed confidence in the judiciary, describing the appeal as a desperate attempt to overturn a lawful decision.

The Kogi senator was suspended for six months in March 2025 after protesting the relocation of her seat during plenary, an action she said was targeted and authoritarian.

Although the suspension elapsed in September, she was unable to resume immediately due to pending legal challenges and resistance within the Senate, before later returning without offering an apology.

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With both parties now before the Supreme Court, the dispute has reignited national debate over legislative authority, due process, and internal power dynamics within the National Assembly.

David Okere