Natasha criticises Akpabio for appealing judgment ordering her reinstatement

Natasha criticises Akpabio for appealing judgment ordering her reinstatement

The suspended lawmaker representing Kogi Central, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has dismissed the appeal filed by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, seeking to overturn a Federal High Court ruling that ordered her reinstatement to the Senate.

Akpabio’s legal team approached the Court of Appeal in Abuja to dispute Justice Binta Nyako’s July 4 judgement, which invalidated Natasha’s six-month suspension from the Red Chamber and pronounced it “excessive” and without legal basis.

The appeal, filed on July 14 and stamped CA/A//2025, stemmed from suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/384/2025, which was brought by the beleaguered Kogi Central lawmaker to contest her suspension.

Akpabio is requesting that the appellate court overturn the judgement, arguing in an 11-ground appeal that the trial court erred in assuming jurisdiction over what he described as the National Assembly’s internal affairs—matters that, he claims, are beyond judicial interference under Section 251 of the 1999 Constitution.

The Senate President further chastised the court for dismissing his preliminary objection and making orders that impacted legislative procedures.

He emphasised that measures done during plenary, such as suspensions and resolutions, are protected under the Legislative Houses (Powers and Privileges) Act and should not be subject to litigation.

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Akpabio further contended that Natasha’s suit was premature since she had not exhausted the Senate’s internal redress processes, specifically the Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions, as required by the Senate Standing Orders, 2023 (as amended).

He further accused the trial court of violating his right to a fair hearing by bringing matters not discussed by either party—specifically, whether the suspension was excessive—and then recommending her recall without allowing both parties to address the issue.

Attempts to gain a formal answer from Natasha were futile, since she did not return calls or mail.

During a brief interaction during the screening of Double Minority, a documentary event hosted by Daria Media in collaboration with the MacArthur Foundation, the lawmaker declined to comment on whether she intended to continue her legislative duties.

When pressed further on Akpabio’s appeal, she cringed and responded, “Did you also ask him to explain why he appealed?” Before driving away from the venue.

On February 20, 2025, Natasha and Akpabio got into a heated argument over seating arrangements.

She then claimed that he sexually harassed her, including suggesting a quid pro quo for legislative duties.

The Senate Ethics Committee rejected her plea on procedural grounds and suspended her for six months for “unruly behaviour”, limiting her office access, income, and security.

On July 4, 2025, Justice Nyako of the Federal High Court in Abuja declared the six-month ban unreasonable and ordered the Senate to recall her.

The suspended lawmaker was fined N5 million for contempt for a social media post, but the court ruled that her suspension denied people ‘representation.

Natasha criticises Akpabio for appealing judgment ordering her reinstatement