Suspension Saga: Senator Natasha Moves to Counter Akpabio’s Supreme Court Appeal

The senator for Kogi Central, Natasha Hadiza Akpoti-Uduaghan, has filed a counter-affidavit at the Supreme Court to oppose an appeal brought by Senate President Godswill Akpabio.

According to court documents obtained by our correspondent in Abuja, the counter-affidavit, registered as SC/CV/1111/2025, was submitted by a Senior Legislative Aide to Akpoti-Uduaghan.

It responds to Akpabio’s Motion on Notice dated January 21, 2026.

In the filing, the respondents urged the Supreme Court to “dismiss the application,” describing it as “without merit and an abuse of the court process.”

They noted that “the Court of Appeal had concluded hearing the substantive appeal on November 28, 2025, and reserved judgment,” asserting that approaching the Supreme Court at this stage was an attempt to interfere with the ongoing appellate process.

The respondents further stated that Akpabio had ample opportunity to present his case at the Court of Appeal, while Akpoti-Uduaghan’s brief of argument was properly filed and unchallenged.

They claimed that, unlike other parties who adhered to the 35-page limit set by the Court of Appeal Rules, 2021, Akpabio’s brief exceeded this limit and was not regularised in time, leading the court to refuse its admission.

The counter-affidavit also argued that the appeal raised mixed questions of law and fact without prior leave of court, making it incompetent.

Rejecting allegations of denial of fair hearing, the respondents said the Court of Appeal acted judiciously and urged the Supreme Court to reject the application as an attempt to delay judgment.

This latest development comes a week after Akpabio again approached the Supreme Court over Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension.

The dispute stems from a February 2025 Senate plenary session, which led to her suspension based on a recommendation by the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions.

Akpoti-Uduaghan challenged the suspension at the Federal High Court, Abuja, which on July 4, 2025, ruled the suspension excessive and unconstitutional.

Despite serving her six-month suspension, the legal battle continues, with Akpabio seeking leave to appeal to the Supreme Court, while Akpoti-Uduaghan maintains that the suspension was unlawful and violated her right to a fair hearing.