Akpabio Heads to Supreme Court to Challenge Appeal Court Ruling on Natasha Akpoti‑Uduaghan’s Suspension
The dispute surrounding the suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti‑Uduaghan has intensified, with the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, now approaching the Supreme Court to challenge a ruling of the Court of Appeal, Abuja Division, which struck out the federal government’s brief of argument in the matter.
The appellate court had dismissed the brief in the defamation‑related appeal arising from Senator Akpoti‑Uduaghan’s suspension, holding that the document was fundamentally defective and failed to comply with mandatory provisions of the Court of Appeal Rules.
Certified records of proceedings revealed that the brief was struck out on procedural grounds, with the court citing several infractions by the appellants’ legal team. These infractions included:
– Use of improper font size and line spacing;
– Exceeding the stipulated 35‑page limit; and
– Failure to obtain the leave of court before departing from the rules.
The court further noted that the Notice of Appeal itself was defective, thereby undermining the competence of the entire appellate process. The justices emphasised that these breaches were substantive and not mere technicalities, reiterating that strict compliance with court rules is indispensable to the administration of justice. On that basis, the brief was struck out in its entirety.
Dissatisfied, Akpabio has filed a Notice of Appeal before the Supreme Court, marked SC NO: SC – 2025; Appeal Nos: CA/ABJ/CV/1107/2025; Suit No: FHC/ABJ/CS/384/2025. He contends that his constitutional right to fair hearing was violated when the Court of Appeal refused to grant leave to regularise the defective brief or permit an extension beyond the prescribed page limit.
Akpabio is seeking relief from the apex court to set aside the proceedings of 28 November 2025, nullify the ruling of the Court of Appeal, and allow him to refile his arguments in compliance with the rules.
Senator Akpoti‑Uduaghan had earlier been suspended for six months, with her privileges withdrawn, following allegations of misconduct on the floor of the Senate. The suspension generated widespread controversy both within and outside the National Assembly, raising questions about legislative discipline, due process, and the limits of parliamentary privilege.
