Suspension Row: Akpoti-Uduaghan Urges Supreme Court to Dismiss Akpabio’s Appeal
The legal battle arising from the suspension of the senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Hadiza Akpoti-Uduaghan, has taken a new turn as she asked the Supreme Court to dismiss an appeal filed by Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, describing it as incompetent and an abuse of court process.
Court documents obtained in Abuja show that Akpoti-Uduaghan filed a counter-affidavit in suit number SC/CV/1111/2025, opposing Akpabio’s Motion on Notice dated January 21, 2026. The counter-affidavit was deposed to by a Senior Legislative Aide to the senator.
In the processes before the apex court, the respondents urged the Supreme Court to “dismiss the application in its entirety,” arguing that it lacked merit and was designed to frustrate the conclusion of the case already before the Court of Appeal.
They maintained that the Court of Appeal had concluded hearing in the substantive appeal on November 28, 2025, and had reserved judgment, stressing that Akpabio’s decision to approach the Supreme Court at this stage amounted to an attempt to interfere with an ongoing appellate process.
According to the respondents, the Senate President was given ample opportunity to present his case at the Court of Appeal, while Akpoti-Uduaghan’s brief of argument was duly filed and never challenged.
They further alleged that while other parties complied with the 35-page limit prescribed by the Court of Appeal Rules, 2021, Akpabio’s brief exceeded the limit and was not regularised within the time allowed, prompting the appellate court to refuse its admission.
The counter-affidavit also faulted the competence of the appeal, arguing that the grounds raised issues of mixed law and fact without obtaining the mandatory prior leave of court.
Responding to claims of denial of fair hearing, the respondents insisted that the Court of Appeal exercised its discretion judicially and judiciously. They urged the Supreme Court to dismiss the application, describing it as a delay tactic aimed at stalling the delivery of judgment.
The latest development comes barely a week after Akpabio again approached the Supreme Court over the suspension of Akpoti-Uduaghan, despite the matter still pending at the Court of Appeal.
The dispute stems from a February 2025 plenary session of the Senate, which culminated in the suspension of Akpoti-Uduaghan following a recommendation by the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions.
She subsequently challenged the suspension at the Federal High Court, Abuja, which on July 4, 2025, ruled in her favour, describing the six-month suspension as excessive, unconstitutional and a violation of her right to fair hearing.
Although Akpoti-Uduaghan has since completed the suspension, the legal contest has persisted, with Akpabio seeking leave to appeal to the Supreme Court, while the senator continues to insist that the disciplinary action was unlawful and violated her constitutional rights.
The Supreme Court is yet to fix a date to hear Akpabio’s application.
