The Nigerian Senate has filed a cross-appeal at the Court of Appeal in Abuja, challenging portions of a Federal High Court judgment that declared the suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan unconstitutional.
Justice B.F.M. Nyako had on July 4, 2025, ruled in favour of Akpoti-Uduaghan, nullifying the Senate’s six-month suspension of the Kogi Central lawmaker. The court held that the suspension violated the Constitution and denied her constituents the right to representation. Justice Nyako further described the suspension as “unduly excessive” and urged the Senate to revise its disciplinary procedures.
However, in a swift move on Thursday, July 24, the Senate, through its legal team led by Chikaosolu Ojukwu (SAN), Paul Babatunde Daudu (SAN), Gbenga Makonjuola, and Monday Adjeh, filed a cross-appeal challenging the judgment. The Senate is contesting three key points and is seeking three corresponding reliefs.
One of the core arguments raised in the appeal is that the lower court erred in law by dismissing the Senate’s preliminary objection regarding Akpoti-Uduaghan’s failure to issue a pre-action notice to the Clerk of the Senate. According to the Senate, this contravenes Section 21 of the Legislative Houses (Powers and Privileges) Act, 2017, which mandates a three-month notice period before any legal action can be initiated against the legislature.
The Senate is asking the Court of Appeal to:
- Allow the cross-appeal,
- Strike out Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suit for lack of jurisdiction, and
- Grant any additional reliefs the court deems appropriate.
This latest legal twist comes just days after Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan returned to the National Assembly, insisting that the Senate had not formally appealed her reinstatement—only Senate President Godswill Akpabio had.
Meanwhile, internal conflict within the Senate leadership has reportedly intensified. A senator who spoke anonymously to SaharaReporters revealed that the decision to file the appeal was not deliberated or approved by the full Senate, alleging that Senate President Akpabio acted unilaterally.
“The Senate did not pass any resolution authorising the appeal. It was Akpabio who directed the Clerk of the Senate to go ahead,” the source claimed.
The situation reportedly led to a heated exchange during a closed-door session between Akpabio and Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele. Bamidele was said to have challenged Akpabio over his failure to consult Senate leadership before initiating critical decisions, warning that he might resign from his position if such unilateral actions continued.
The controversy underscores growing tension within the upper chamber and highlights the far-reaching implications of the court’s ruling on legislative discipline and parliamentary procedure.
