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Senate Files Appeal Against Court Ruling On Natasha’s Suspension, Akpabio Accused Of Acting Alone

Senate 1

The Nigerian Senate has filed a cross-appeal at the Court of Appeal in Abuja, challenging aspects of the Federal High Court’s judgment, which nullified the six-month suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.

Naijaonpoint reports that the move has sparked fresh controversy within the upper legislative chamber, as insiders who spoke with Sahara Reporters allege that the decision to appeal was not sanctioned by the Senate as a whole but was rather a unilateral action by Senate President, Godswill Akpabio.

Justice B.F.M. Nyako of the Federal High Court, Abuja, had on July 4, 2025, ruled in favour of Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, declaring her suspension “unconstitutional and unlawful.”

In Suit No: FHC/ABJ/CS/384/2025, the court held that the suspension violated the Constitution and deprived the people of Kogi Central of valid representation.

“The suspension was unduly excessive. It infringes on the rights of the constituents and amounts to a denial of representation,” Justice Nyako stated, urging the Senate to review its internal sanction procedures.

Dissatisfied with the judgment, the Senate, through its legal team led by Chikaosolu Ojukwu (SAN), Paul Babatunde Daudu (SAN), Gbenga Makonjuola (Esq.), and Monday Adjeh (Esq.), filed a cross-appeal on July 24, 2025, listing three grounds of appeal and seeking three reliefs.

The primary issue raised was that the trial court erred in law by entertaining the case without issuing a pre-action notice, which is mandated under Section 21 of the Legislative Houses (Powers and Privileges) Act, 2017.

The Senate contends that Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan failed to serve the required notice to the Clerk of the Senate before initiating legal proceedings and argues that the law applies to all citizens, including serving legislators.

Among the reliefs sought are an order allowing the cross-appeal, an order striking out the suit for want of jurisdiction and any other relief deemed appropriate by the Court of Appeal.

Despite the formal filing, a serving senator who spoke with SaharaReporters on condition of anonymity disputed the legitimacy of the appeal, claiming it lacked Senate approval.

“It should be noted that this action of appeal wasn’t consented by the Senate as there was no resolution to that effect,” the source disclosed.

According to the senator, the decision was personally made by Akpabio, who allegedly instructed the Clerk of the Senate to file the appeal without consulting Senate leadership or securing a formal vote.

The unilateral move has reportedly intensified tensions between Senate President Akpabio and Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele.

During a closed-door session on Wednesday, Bamidele was said to have confronted Akpabio, accusing him of excluding other Senate leaders from crucial decisions.

“Senator Opeyemi has threatened to resign his leadership position if Akpabio continues to act autocratically,” the source added.

The lawmaker further expressed concerns that the ongoing conflict between Akpoti-Uduaghan and Akpabio has eroded public trust in the Senate.