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In a move that could reshape the power dynamics within Nigeria’s National Assembly, the battle over whether Senate President Godswill Akpabio will reinstate Akpoti Uduaghan has escalated to the Court of Appeal in Abuja. This follows a Federal High Court judgment ordering the reinstatement of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, whose six-month suspension from the Senate was declared “excessive” and unlawful.
Akpabio, unwilling to accept the ruling, has now filed an 11-ground appeal, challenging the court’s decision and asserting that the judiciary has overreached into the legislative domain—a space he claims is constitutionally protected.
In his appeal, Akpabio argues that the trial court lacked jurisdiction to interfere in parliamentary matters, referencing Section 251 of the 1999 Constitution and the Legislative Houses (Powers and Privileges) Act.
“Actions taken during plenary, including suspensions and resolutions, are protected… and should not be subject to litigation,” Akpabio’s legal team submitted.
He also criticized the court’s dismissal of his preliminary objection, claiming it erred in assuming jurisdiction and wrongly interfered in a matter that falls squarely within the internal workings of the Senate.
The Senate President further argued that the Federal High Court violated his right to fair hearing, ruling on matters such as the “excessiveness” of the suspension without allowing both parties to address the issue directly.
The controversy began in February 2025, when Akpabio reassigned Akpoti-Uduaghan’s Senate seat, sparking protests from the lawmaker. The dispute escalated after she appeared on television, accusing Akpabio of sexual harassment—an allegation he has strongly denied.
In response, the Senate’s Ethics and Privileges Committee demanded a public apology from her. Upon refusal, the committee enforced a six-month suspension, which included stripping her of salary, office privileges, and official security.
In addition to the civil case, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan is also facing criminal charges filed by the Attorney General of the Federation. These charges, filed in May 2025, relate to alleged defamation involving her public statements about a purported assassination plot linking Akpabio and former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello.
The senator’s legal team has described the charges as politically motivated, further complicating the ongoing power struggle.
Akpabio’s appeal has become a constitutional litmus test. At its heart is a thorny question: How far can courts go in regulating the internal affairs of the National Assembly? If the appeal succeeds, it could reinforce the legislative immunity from judicial review. If it fails, it might embolden lawmakers like Akpoti-Uduaghan to challenge parliamentary sanctions more frequently.
As the case proceeds, all eyes are on the Court of Appeal, which must now decide whether Akpabio will be compelled to reinstate Akpoti Uduaghan, or whether legislative privilege will triumph over judicial activism.
With national interest mounting and legal tensions boiling over, this saga is far from over.
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