Natasha Suspension: Akpabio Heads to Supreme Court

The legal dispute arising from the suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has entered a new phase, following a move by Senate President Godswill Akpabio to approach the Supreme Court.

Court documents obtained in Abuja on Wednesday show that Akpabio has filed an application at the apex court seeking to regularise and sustain his appeal against decisions arising from the Senate’s suspension of the Kogi Central lawmaker.

The case, which has continued to draw public attention, centres on the scope of the Senate’s disciplinary powers and the extent of judicial oversight over internal legislative proceedings.

In the suit before the Supreme Court, Akpabio is listed as the appellant. The 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 dispute originated from a Senate plenary session in February 2025, when Akpoti-Uduaghan raised concerns bordering on parliamentary privilege and alleged procedural lapses. The matter was referred to the ethics committee, which later recommended her suspension from legislative activities.

Dissatisfied with the decision, the senator approached the Federal High Court in Abuja, arguing that the suspension violated her right to fair hearing and breached provisions of the Senate Standing Orders. In a judgment delivered on July 4, 2025, the court considered issues relating to parliamentary privilege, legislative procedure and the role of the judiciary in internal parliamentary affairs.

Following proceedings at the Court of Appeal, Akpabio has now taken the matter to the Supreme Court. In his application, he is seeking an extension of time to apply for leave to appeal on grounds of mixed law and fact, as well as an order deeming his notice of appeal and brief of argument as properly filed and served.

The application, filed under the Supreme Court Rules, the Supreme Court Act and the 1999 Constitution (as amended), argues that the appeal raises significant constitutional and procedural questions requiring determination by the apex court.

Akpabio’s legal team maintains that the Senate acted within its powers under Section 60 of the Constitution, which authorises the National Assembly to regulate its own procedure. The team also contends that a presiding officer is not obliged to give an immediate ruling on every issue of privilege and that the Senate’s disciplinary process was lawfully triggered in response to alleged disorderly conduct during plenary.

Akpoti-Uduaghan has consistently challenged the suspension, describing it as unlawful and excessive. She insists that the Senate failed to follow its own Standing Orders before referring her to the ethics committee and imposing sanctions, thereby denying her a fair opportunity to defend herself.

Her lawyers confirmed that Supreme Court processes were served on her legal team on Wednesday, January 21, 2026, noting that the filing has formally joined all parties for full adjudication at the apex court.

The matter also includes a related contempt proceeding linked to a social media post made by the senator while the case was pending. The Federal High Court had ruled that the post breached a restraining order, imposing a fine and directing her to issue a public apology.

Akpoti-Uduaghan has appealed that decision as well, arguing that the alleged contempt was criminal in nature and required strict compliance with established legal procedures.

Legal analysts say the Supreme Court’s ruling is likely to clarify key issues on legislative autonomy, judicial intervention and the constitutional limits of parliamentary disciplinary powers.