The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, has approached the Supreme Court to challenge a Court of Appeal ruling that struck out the Federal Government’s brief in the legal battle over the suspension of Kogi Central Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
Court documents dated December 1, 2025, obtained by Diaspora Digital Media confirm the appeal.
The appellate court, Abuja Division, had ruled the brief incompetent, citing violations of Court of Appeal rules, including incorrect font size and line spacing, exceeding the 35-page limit, and failing to obtain leave of court for deviations.
The Notice of Appeal itself was also deemed defective.
Despite Akpabio’s claims that the brief was struck out “illegally,” certified court records show that the decision adhered strictly to legal provisions.
Dissatisfied with the ruling, Akpabio has now requested the Supreme Court to overturn the judgment, arguing that his right to a fair hearing was violated because the court refused to allow regularisation of the brief or exceed the page limit.
The Senate President’s decision to personally pursue the case has drawn public attention, with some observers describing it as unusual for someone in his position.
Political sources suggest the matter has taken on political undertones, linked to long-standing tensions between Akpabio and Akpoti-Uduaghan, who has been critical of Senate leadership.
Akpoti-Uduaghan’s legal team confirmed being served with the appeal, describing it as a desperate attempt to overturn a lawful decision.
The Kogi Central senator was suspended for six months in March 2025 after protesting the relocation of her seat during plenary.
Although her suspension ended in September, she faced delays in resuming duties due to ongoing legal disputes, only returning after her office was reopened by officials of the Sergeant-at-Arms.