Akpabio Heads to Supreme Court Over Senator Natasha’s Suspension

The legal contest surrounding the suspension of Kogi Central senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has taken a fresh turn as Senate President Godswill Akpabio has filed a new application at the Supreme Court. The move follows earlier rulings by the Federal High Court and the Court of Appeal that questioned the legality of the Senate’s action.

Court filings indicate that Akpabio is seeking the regularisation of his appeal, including permission to challenge the lower courts’ decisions on grounds of mixed law and fact. The suit lists Akpoti-Uduaghan, the Clerk of the National Assembly, the Senate, and the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions as respondents.

The controversy stems from a February 2025 Senate session where Akpoti-Uduaghan raised issues of privilege, leading to her referral to the ethics committee and subsequent suspension. In July 2025, the Federal High Court ruled against the suspension, calling it unconstitutional and excessive.

Akpabio maintains that the Senate acted within its constitutional authority under Section 60 of the 1999 Constitution, while Akpoti-Uduaghan insists her suspension violated her right to fair hearing. Her legal team has confirmed receipt of the Supreme Court processes as the case proceeds.