Senate President Godswill Akpobio has filed a cross-appeal against portions of a Federal High Court judgment ordering the reinstatement of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (PDP, Kogi Central).
The appeal, filed at the Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal, contests specific aspects of Justice Binta Nyako’s July 4 ruling (Suit No: FHC/ABJ/CS/384/2025), which declared the Senate’s suspension of Akpoti-Uduaghan unconstitutional and directed her immediate return to legislative duties.
Legal sources confirm Akpabio’s appeal focuses on the court’s interpretation of legislative privileges versus constitutional rights. The Senate President maintains that certain procedural elements of the judgment require appellate review.
In her landmark decision, Justice Nyako had ruled that the Senate’s exclusion of Akpoti-Uduaghan from plenary sessions violated Sections 68 and 69 of the 1999 Constitution, which safeguard lawmakers’ rights to participate in proceedings.
Court officials indicate the appeal process may take [timeframe] given the constitutional significance of the case. Political analysts suggest this development could test the boundaries between legislative autonomy and judicial oversight.
The Senate has yet to formally comply with the reinstatement order pending the appeal’s determination. Akpoti-Uduaghan’s legal team has vowed to “vigorously defend” the High Court’s verdict.
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