Senator Natasha Rejects Akpabio’s Appeal Against Court Order Nullifying Her Suspension

Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has dismissed an appeal by Senate President Godswill Akpabio challenging the July 4 court ruling that overturned her six-month suspension from the Senate and ordered her reinstatement.

Akpabio, through his legal team, filed the appeal on July 14 at the Court of Appeal in Abuja, seeking to overturn Justice Binta Nyako’s judgment which described Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension as “excessive” and lacking legal justification.

The appeal, stemming from suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/384/2025, was filed under CA/A//2025. Akpabio argued that the trial court lacked jurisdiction, insisting that internal parliamentary affairs—such as suspensions and resolutions—are not subject to judicial review under Section 251 of the 1999 Constitution.

He further argued that legislative matters are shielded by the Legislative Houses (Powers and Privileges) Act and that Akpoti-Uduaghan failed to exhaust internal remedies, including a review by the Senate’s Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions, before turning to the courts.

Akpabio also accused the court of denying him a fair hearing by raising and deciding on issues—like whether the suspension was excessive—without input from either party.

Efforts to reach Akpoti-Uduaghan for comment were unsuccessful. However, at a public event in Abuja—the screening of Double Minority, a documentary hosted by Daria Media and the MacArthur Foundation—the lawmaker declined to speak on the matter. When asked about Akpabio’s appeal, she retorted, “Did you also ask him to tell you why he appealed it?” before leaving the venue.

The senator’s clash with Akpabio began on February 20, 2025, during a heated dispute over seating arrangements in the Senate. Akpoti-Uduaghan later accused Akpabio of sexual harassment and alleged he made inappropriate demands. The Senate’s Ethics Committee dismissed her petition and suspended her for “unruly behavior,” barring her from her office, salary, and security privileges.

Justice Nyako, in her ruling on July 4, voided the suspension, citing it as excessive and unlawful. While the court fined Akpoti-Uduaghan N5 million over a social media post, it upheld that her suspension had denied Kogi Central constituents proper representation.