Court of Appeal reserves judgment in Natasha, Akpabio appeals over Senate suspension

Court of Appeal reserves judgment in Natasha, Akpabio appeals over Senate suspension

The Court of Appeal in Abuja on Friday reserved judgment in the appeal and cross-appeal filed by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan and Senate President Godswill Akpabio, in a matter concerning her suspension and contempt fine.

Akpoti-Uduaghan is challenging a lower court ruling that allowed the Senate to investigate alleged misconduct against her. Meanwhile, Akpabio approached the appellate court to challenge the Federal High Court judgment that invalidated the suspension of the Kogi Central Senator.

A three-member panel of justices reserved the judgment after hearing arguments from both parties. Akpabio’s legal team had argued that the lower court lacked jurisdiction, noting that Senate internal affairs are protected under Section 251 of the 1999 Constitution.

The lower court had earlier declared Akpoti-Uduaghan’s six-month suspension unconstitutional, excessive, and a violation of her constituents’ right to representation. Akpabio’s cross-appeal sought to nullify the judgment, describing it as a gross miscarriage of justice and arguing that matters related to suspensions, plenary utterances, and Senate resolutions are shielded by the Legislative Houses (Powers and Privileges) Act.

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The cross-appeal followed Akpoti-Uduaghan’s appeal challenging a N5 million contempt fine imposed by the trial court. The fine stemmed from a civil contempt ruling against the senator for a satirical Facebook post made during her ongoing case against the Senate. In her appeal, Akpoti-Uduaghan argued that the contempt ruling violated her fundamental rights and the fine was legally unfounded.

The appeals, marked CA/ABJ/CJ/739/2025, CA/ABJ/CJ/1208/2025, arise from her rights suit FHC/ABJ/CS/384/2025 seeking to halt the Senate investigation.

During Friday’s hearing, Akpabio, through Eko Ejembi Eko, SAN, withdrew one of his cross-appeals, as it had been overtaken by events following Akpoti-Uduaghan’s resumption of Senate duties, leading to its dismissal.

The court’s final decision on the remaining appeals is highly anticipated, as it will clarify the legal boundaries of Senate authority and senators’ rights in ongoing investigations and contempt matters.

Court of Appeal reserves judgment in Natasha, Akpabio appeals over Senate suspension