Senate President, Akpabio Appeals Natasha’s Suspension Ruling

Senate President Godswill Akpabio has filed an appeal to overturn a Federal High Court ruling that voided the six-month suspension of Kogi Central Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan. The appeal, lodged on July 14, 2025, at the Court of Appeal in Abuja, challenges the court’s decision.

Justice Binta Nyako’s July 4 ruling declared the suspension excessive and a violation of Akpoti-Uduaghan’s constituents’ right to representation. The court also imposed a ₦5 million fine on Akpabio for contempt over a satirical Facebook post that breached a restraining order.

Akpabio’s 11-ground appeal argues that the Federal High Court lacked jurisdiction over internal Senate affairs, citing Section 251 of the 1999 Constitution. His legal team contends that parliamentary procedures, including suspensions, are protected under the Legislative Houses (Powers and Privileges) Act.

The Senate President claims the trial court overstepped by ruling on issues, like the suspension’s excessiveness, not raised by either party. This, Akpabio argues, breached judicial neutrality and denied him a fair hearing.

Additionally, Akpabio’s appeal criticizes the court for merging interlocutory reliefs with substantive claims, violating legal procedure. His team asserts that Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suit was premature, as she failed to exhaust internal Senate mechanisms, such as the Ethics Committee, per the Senate Standing Orders.

The appeal also highlights the failure to comply with Section 21 of the Legislative Houses Act, which mandates a three-month pre-action notice to the Clerk of the National Assembly. Akpabio seeks to have the lower court’s judgment set aside, reaffirming the Senate’s disciplinary autonomy.

Meanwhile, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has filed a counter-appeal, challenging the contempt ruling on jurisdictional grounds. She argues that the court lacked the authority to penalize conduct occurring outside the courtroom, further complicating the legal dispute.