President Of The Nigerian Senate, Godswill Akpabio, Has Taken The Legal Battle Over The Suspension Of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan To The Supreme Court.

The Move Marks A New Phase In The Long-Running Dispute Between The Two Lawmakers.

Court Filings Indicate That Akpabio, Acting In His Official Capacity As President Of The Senate, Is Asking The Apex Court To Intervene In Decisions Already Taken By Lower Courts On The Matter.

The Appeal Is Aimed At Sustaining The Senate’s Position And Overturning Rulings That Questioned The Legality Of The Suspension.

The Suit Before The Supreme Court Names Akpabio As The Appellant. Those Listed As Respondents Include Senator 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 Controversy Traces Back To A Heated Senate Plenary Session Held In February 2025. During The Sitting, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, Who Represents Kogi Central Senatorial District, Raised Issues Touching On Parliamentary Privilege And Alleged Breaches Of Procedure. Her Actions Later Became The Subject Of Deliberations Within The Chamber.

Following The Plenary, The Matter Was Referred To The Senate Committee On Ethics, Privileges And Public Petitions. After Its Review, The Committee Recommended Disciplinary Measures, Which Culminated In Her Suspension From Senate Activities. The Decision Immediately Triggered Public Reactions And Sharp Divisions Within Political Circles.

Unhappy With The Outcome, The Kogi Lawmaker Approached The Federal High Court In Abuja. She Argued That The Process Leading To Her Suspension Violated Her Right To Fair Hearing And Failed To Follow The Senate’s Standing Orders.

In A Judgment Delivered On July 4, 2025, The Court Examined The Powers Of The Legislature, Internal Parliamentary Procedures, And The Extent To Which Courts Can Intervene In Legislative Affairs.

The Case Later Moved To The Court Of Appeal, Where Further Legal Questions Emerged. With The Appellate Court Proceedings Not Resolving The Dispute To His Satisfaction, Akpabio Has Now Turned To The Supreme Court For Final Determination.

In His Application, The Senate President Is Seeking Permission To Regularise His Appeal. He Is Asking For An Extension Of Time To Apply For Leave To Appeal, Approval To Appeal On Issues Involving Both Law And Facts, And An Order Validating His Notice Of Appeal And Filed Briefs.

His Argument Is Anchored On Constitutional Provisions That Empower The National Assembly To Regulate Its Internal Affairs.

Akpabio Maintains That The Senate Acted Within The Authority Granted To It Under Section 60 Of The 1999 Constitution, As Amended.

He Also Argues That A Presiding Officer Is Not Compelled To Immediately Rule On Every Issue Of Privilege Raised On The Floor, Especially Where Conduct During Plenary Is Considered Disruptive.

On The Other Side, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan Has Remained Firm In Her Position. She Insists That Her Suspension Was Excessive And Unlawful.

According To Her, The Senate Failed To Follow Its Own Rules Before Referring Her To The Ethics Committee And Imposing Sanctions, Thereby Denying Her A Proper Opportunity To Defend Herself.

Developments At The Supreme Court Have Now Formally Drawn All Parties Into The Appeal. Her Legal Team Has Been Served With The Necessary Court Processes, Setting The Stage For A Full Legal Contest Before The Country’s Highest Court.

The Case Also Involves A Related Contempt Issue. This Arose From A Social Media Post Made By The Senator While The Suit Was Still Pending.

A Federal High Court Had Ruled That The Post Violated An Existing Restraining Order, Imposed A Fine, And Directed Her To Issue A Public Apology. That Ruling Is Also Under Appeal, With Her Lawyers Arguing That The Alleged Contempt Required Stricter Legal Procedures.

As The Legal Battle Continues, Public Attention Remains Fixed On The Case.

Nonetheless, The Final Decision Will Set A Lasting Precedent On The Limits Of Senate Authority And The Protection Of Elected Lawmakers Within Nigeria’s Democratic System.