President of the Nigerian Senate, Godswill Akpabio has filed a cross-appeal at the Court of Appeal in Abuja, challenging parts of the Federal High Court’s judgment delivered on July 4, 2025.
The judgment found Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan guilty of civil contempt, fining her N5 million, and urged the Senate to consider recalling her due to the “excessive” six-month suspension.
Akpabio’s argument amongst others is that the trial judge erred in assuming jurisdiction over the suit, citing the need to exhaust internal dispute resolution mechanisms within the Senate.
He claims Akpoti-Uduaghan failed to exhaust the Senate’s internal dispute resolution process before approaching the Court.
Akpabio contends that the trial Court overstepped its bounds by issuing recommendations on amending Senate orders and laws and suggesting the recall of Akpoti-Uduaghan.
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The Appellant is among other issues, asking for an order of the Appellate Court, allowing the cross-appeal and setting aside parts of the decision of the lower Court where it dismissed Senator Akpabio’s preliminary objection, and opined that the 6 month suspension of Senator Akpoti-Udiuaghan was excessive and that the Senate should recall the suspended Kogi Central district lawmaker.
No date has been fixed for hearing in this appeal.
(Editor Ken Eseni)
