Senate President Godswill Akpabio has filed an appeal at the Court of Appeal in Abuja to challenge a recent Federal High Court ruling that ordered the recall of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, describing the decision as a clear case of judicial overreach.
The appeal, dated July 14, 2025, was filed by Akpabio’s legal team led by Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Kehinde Ogunwumiju.
It contests the ruling delivered by Justice Binta Nyako, which nullified Senator Natasha’s six-month suspension from the Senate and advised her immediate recall in the interest of democratic representation.
According to Akpabio, the trial court exceeded its jurisdiction by making pronouncements on issues that were neither raised nor sought in the originating suit filed by Senator Natasha.
“The court cannot grant relief that was not asked for,” the appeal stated. “The recommendation that Senator Natasha be recalled was not part of her originating summons. The court crossed the line.”
Akpabio further contended that the suit was both premature and procedurally flawed.
He noted that Senator Natasha filed the case in March 2025, before the Senate had formally suspended her and while its internal investigation into her conduct was still ongoing. As such, he argued, the matter lacked ripeness for judicial determination.
The Senate President also questioned the competence of the Federal High Court to entertain the matter, citing Section 251 of the 1999 Constitution, which limits the court’s jurisdiction.
“Matters relating to legislative privileges and internal proceedings of the National Assembly fall outside the purview of the Federal High Court,” the appeal maintained.
Additionally, Akpabio argued that Senator Natasha failed to comply with the statutory requirement of serving a pre-action notice to the National Assembly, as stipulated under the Legislative Houses (Powers and Privileges) Act.
His legal team criticized the court for raising and deciding on the issue of the duration of the suspension without inviting arguments from both parties.
“The law is clear: no judge should raise and determine new issues without hearing from all sides. This was a serious breach of Senator Akpabio’s right to a fair hearing,” the appeal stated.
Akpabio warned that if the judgment is allowed to stand, it could set a dangerous precedent that undermines the independence of the legislature and encourages unwarranted judicial interference in parliamentary processes.
The Court of Appeal is expected to fix a date for hearing in the coming weeks, as the legal tussle over Senator Natasha’s suspension continues to stir debate on the limits of judicial intervention in legislative affairs.