Akpabio heads to S’Court over Appeal Court ruling on Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension

Senate President Godswill Akpabio has escalated his legal challenge to the Supreme Court following an adverse ruling by the Court of Appeal in a case involving Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central Senatorial District.

Akpabio, in a notice of appeal filed at the apex court, is seeking to overturn the judgment of the Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal delivered on November 28, 2025, in appeal number CA/ABJ/CV/1107/2025.

The legal dispute arose from the suspension of Akpoti-Uduaghan by the Senate under Akpabio’s leadership. The suspension had generated significant controversy, drawing public attention and legal scrutiny, before it was eventually nullified by the Court of Appeal, which ruled in favour of the Kogi Central lawmaker.

Dissatisfied with the outcome, the Senate President is now asking the Supreme Court to intervene, arguing that the appellate court erred in its handling of key procedural issues. Central to Akpabio’s appeal is the Court of Appeal’s refusal to grant him leave to rely on his brief of argument, which exceeded the 35-page limit stipulated by the Court of Appeal Rules.

Akpabio contends that the rejection of his brief on the grounds of its length amounted to a denial of fair hearing and substantially affected the determination of the case. He maintains that the issues raised in the appeal were of significant constitutional and legislative importance, warranting a more flexible application of the court’s procedural rules.

The move to the Supreme Court marks the latest development in the legal tussle between the Senate leadership and Akpoti-Uduaghan, a case that has continued to attract attention due to its implications for legislative discipline, internal parliamentary procedures, and the rights of elected lawmakers.

The Supreme Court is expected to determine whether the Court of Appeal acted correctly in striking out or refusing to consider Akpabio’s brief of argument and, ultimately, whether the appellate court’s decision quashing Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension should stand.