Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, has filed an appeal at the Court of Appeal in Abuja, contesting the Federal High Court’s ruling that ordered the recall of suspended senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
In a notice of appeal dated July 14, 2025, Akpabio is asking the appellate court to overturn the July 4 judgment delivered by Justice Binta Nyako, which described Akpoti-Uduaghan’s six-month suspension as “excessive” and lacking legal justification.
The appeal, with suit number CA/A//2025, stems from the original case FHC/ABJ/CS/384/2025 filed by Akpoti-Uduaghan to challenge her suspension.
Akpabio’s legal team argues that the High Court lacked jurisdiction, claiming the matter involves the internal affairs of the National Assembly and should not fall under judicial scrutiny, as provided under Section 251 of the 1999 Constitution.
In his 11-ground appeal, Akpabio faulted the court for dismissing his preliminary objection and for issuing directives that allegedly interfere with parliamentary proceedings.
He stated, “Issues related to suspension, words spoken during plenary, and Senate resolutions are safeguarded under the Legislative Houses (Powers and Privileges) Act and cannot be subjected to judicial interference.”
The Senate President also asserted that Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suit was premature, arguing that she failed to exhaust internal dispute resolution mechanisms, especially via the Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions, as mandated by the Senate Standing Orders, 2023 (as amended).
He further claimed the court denied him a fair hearing, saying it “raised issues not argued by any of the parties, including the question of whether Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension was excessive.”
Akpabio contended that Justice Nyako erred by making recommendations for her recall “without giving both sides an opportunity to address the issue.”
He also accused the court of procedural irregularities, claiming it improperly merged interlocutory reliefs with substantive claims. Moreover, he argued that Akpoti-Uduaghan failed to comply with Section 21 of the Legislative Houses Act, which requires a three-month notice to be served on the Clerk of the National Assembly before initiating legal proceedings.
Among the reliefs sought, Akpabio urged the Court of Appeal to:
- Allow his appeal and set aside the lower court’s judgment
- Strike out duplicated reliefs in Akpoti-Uduaghan’s applications
- Dismiss her suit for lack of jurisdiction
- Reject the trial court’s “advisory opinions” regarding amendments to Senate rules or the recall of a suspended member
He is also asking the appellate court to invoke Section 15 of the Court of Appeal Act to resolve the preliminary objection and dismiss the entire case.
