The Court of Appeal in Abuja has reserved judgment in the appeal and cross-appeal filed by Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan over the legality of her suspension from the Senate.
A three-member panel of justices took the decision on Friday after both parties’ lawyers adopted their briefs of argument.
Akpabio is challenging a Federal High Court ruling that nullified Akpoti-Uduaghan’s six-month suspension, describing it as unconstitutional and a violation of her constituents’ right to representation.
His legal team argued that the lower court lacked jurisdiction, insisting that the matter involved the internal affairs of the National Assembly and is protected from judicial interference under Section 251 of the 1999 Constitution and the Legislative Houses (Powers and Privileges) Act.
Kehinde Ogunwumiju (SAN), lead counsel for Akpabio, stated, “The trial court erred by issuing orders that interfered with parliamentary procedures, which are matters strictly within the legislative domain.”
Akpoti-Uduaghan, who resumed her Senate duties following the lower court verdict, also appealed a N5 million fine imposed by the same court for a satirical Facebook post, which Justice Binta Nyako had deemed contemptuous.
She argued that the ruling violated her fundamental rights and lacked legal basis.
“The contempt ruling against me was unnecessary and infringes on my rights as an elected representative,” Akpoti-Uduaghan said during the proceedings.
The appeals are linked to her suit seeking to prevent the Senate from investigating her for alleged misconduct. During Friday’s session, Akpabio, represented by Eko Ejembi Eko (SAN), withdrew one of his cross-appeals, noting that it had become moot since Akpoti-Uduaghan had returned to the Senate. The court subsequently dismissed the withdrawn appeal.
The Court of Appeal will notify the parties of the date for the delivery of judgment.
