Suspension dispute: Natasha urges Supreme Court to dismiss Akpabio’s appeal

The senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Hadiza Akpoti-Uduaghan, has asked the Supreme Court to dismiss an appeal filed by Senate President Godswill Akpabio over her suspension from the Senate.

In a counter-affidavit filed before the apex court, Akpoti-Uduaghan opposed Akpabio’s application, urging the court to reject it on the grounds that it lacks merit and constitutes an abuse of judicial process.

Court documents obtained in Abuja show that the counter-affidavit, marked SC/CV/1111/2025, was deposed to by one of her Senior Legislative Aides and filed in response to Akpabio’s Motion on Notice dated January 21, 2026.

The respondents argued that the Court of Appeal had already concluded hearings in the substantive matter on November 28, 2025, and reserved judgment. They said Akpabio’s decision to approach the Supreme Court at this stage amounts to interference with an ongoing appellate process.

They further maintained that Akpabio was given ample opportunity to present his case at the Court of Appeal and that Akpoti-Uduaghan’s brief of argument was properly filed and went unchallenged.

According to the counter-affidavit, while other parties complied with the 35-page limit stipulated by the Court of Appeal Rules, 2021, Akpabio’s brief exceeded the prescribed length and was not regularised within the permitted timeframe, leading the court to refuse its admission.

The respondents also contended that the appeal raised issues involving both law and facts without first obtaining the court’s leave, thereby rendering it incompetent.

Rejecting allegations of a denial of fair hearing, they argued that the Court of Appeal exercised its discretion properly and urged the Supreme Court to dismiss the application, describing it as a tactic to delay the delivery of judgment.

The latest move follows Akpabio’s renewed attempt to challenge matters relating to Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension.

The dispute stems from a February 2025 plenary session during which she was suspended based on the recommendation of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions.

However, the Federal High Court in Abuja, in a judgment delivered on July 4, 2025, faulted the suspension, describing it as excessive and unconstitutional.

Although Akpoti-Uduaghan has since completed the six-month suspension, the legal tussle has continued, with Akpabio seeking leave to appeal to the Supreme Court, while the senator insists the action violated her constitutional right to fair hearing.