Senate President Godswill Akpabio has approached the Court of Appeal in Abuja to challenge the recent judgment of the Federal High Court, Abuja, that questioned the Senate’s authority and recommended the recall of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
In the appeal lodged on July 14, 2025, Akpabio, through his legal team led by lawyer Kehinde Ogunwumiju, SAN, argued that the trial court presided over by Justice Binta Nyako, overstepped its bounds by delving into legislative affairs and making pronouncements that were never sought by Senator Natasha in her suit.
The Federal High Court had, in a controversial judgment, declared that Natasha’s six-month suspension by the Senate was excessive and “ought not to stand,” urging the Senate to recall her in the interest of democracy and representation. But Akpabio’s cross-appeal describes that position as judicial overreach.
“The court cannot grant relief that was not asked for. The recommendation that Senator Natasha be recalled was not part of her originating summons. The court crossed the line,” the appeal states.
The Senate President contends that the suit filed by Natasha was premature and incompetent, as she had not yet been suspended when she approached the court in March 2025, and the Senate Committee had not even concluded its investigation into her conduct at the time.
Akpabio further argued that the court entirely lacked jurisdiction, as disputes relating to legislative privileges and conduct fall outside the scope of the Federal High Court under Section 251 of the 1999 Constitution. He also argued that Natasha failed to serve the mandatory pre-action notice to the National Assembly as required by the Legislative Houses (Powers and Privileges) Act.
“The judge ignored clear legal thresholds. This case should never have been heard in the first place,” the appeal argued, warning that allowing such decisions to stand would erode parliamentary independence and invite dangerous judicial interference in legislative affairs.
Akpabio’s lawyers also accused the trial court of raising new issues especially concerning the length of Natasha’s suspension without giving any of the parties a chance to respond on those matters, thus breaching Akpabio’s right to a fair hearing.
“The law is clear: no judge should raise and decide new issues without hearing from all sides. This was a serious breach,” the appeal said.