Akpabio Natasha Supreme Court case raises major questions on Senate discipline, constitutional rights and limits of parliamentary authority
Senate President Godswill Akpabio has taken his legal battle with Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan to the Supreme Court, escalating a dispute over legislative discipline and parliamentary authority.
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Court documents show that Senator Akpabio filed fresh applications at the apex court seeking to regularise and sustain his appeal against earlier appellate decisions connected to the suspension of the Kogi Central lawmaker.
The suit, filed in Abuja, lists Senator Akpabio as the appellant, while the respondents include Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, the Clerk of the National Assembly, the Nigerian Senate, and the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions, Senator Neda Imasuen.
The dispute traces back to a Senate plenary session in February 2025, when Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan raised issues bordering on parliamentary privilege and alleged procedural irregularities.
The matter was referred to the ethics committee, a process that culminated in her suspension from legislative duties.
Challenging the disciplinary action, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan approached the Federal High Court in Abuja, arguing that her suspension violated her constitutional right to a fair hearing and breached the Senate Standing Orders.
In a judgment delivered on July 4, 2025, the trial court examined key questions relating to parliamentary privilege, internal legislative procedure, and the extent of judicial intervention in legislative affairs.
Following developments at the Court of Appeal, Senator Akpabio has now asked the Supreme Court for an extension of time to seek leave to appeal, permission to appeal on grounds of mixed law and fact, and an order validating his notice of appeal and brief of argument.
His legal team argued that the case raises substantial constitutional issues deserving the attention of the apex court.
The application maintains that the Senate acted within its powers under Section 60 of the 1999 Constitution, which allows the National Assembly to regulate its own procedure.
Senator Akpabio also contended that a presiding officer is not required to rule immediately on every point of privilege and that the Senate’s disciplinary mechanisms were lawfully triggered.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan has consistently maintained that her suspension was unlawful and excessive.
She argued that the Senate failed to comply with its own rules and denied her a fair opportunity to defend herself.
Her legal team was formally served with the Supreme Court processes on Wednesday, bringing all parties before the court.
The case also involves a related contempt ruling over a social media post made during the pendency of the suit.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan has appealed that decision, arguing that the contempt finding required stricter legal procedures.
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Legal observers say the Supreme Court’s ruling could have far-reaching implications for Nigeria’s constitutional democracy, particularly in defining the limits between legislative autonomy and judicial oversight.
