Akpabio Makes U-Turn, Drags Natasha To Supreme Court

Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, has changed his mind concerning his row with her counterpart from Kogi State, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, by dragging the Kogi Central senator to the Supreme Court.

The Akwa Ibom senator had in the first week of January withdrawn all pending defamation suits instituted by him against Akpoti-Uduaghan, saying the decision was inspired by a sermon he listened to during a New Year Mass.

Akpabio had specifically disclosed at the Sacred Heart Parish, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, he filed nearly nine defamation cases against Akpoti-Uduaghan and others he accused of lying against and slandering his name.

He had said in a sermon, “I had almost nine cases in court against some individuals who defamed me, who lied against me, who slandered my name.

“But I listened to the priest and suddenly realised he was talking to me, so I hereby direct my solicitor to withdraw all lawsuits against them,” the former Akwa Ibom governor had declared.

Akpoti-Uduaghan had accused the senate president of sexual harassment resulting in her suspension and multile court cases, which he declared he had withdrawn.

However, Court documents made available to journalists on Thursday showed that Akpabio filed an application before the apex court to regularise and sustain his appeal challenging decisions of the lower courts on the matter.

The documents are marked SC NO: SC/CV/1111/2025. Appeal No: CA/ABJ/CV/1107/2025. Suit No: FHC/ABJ/CS/384/2025.
It partly read, “Motion on Notice brought pursuant to Order 4 Rules 6 & 16 of the Supreme Court 2024 Sections 22, 27 (1) 4, 2 & 4 and 29 of the Supreme Court ACT CAP S.15 Laws of the Federal Law Section 233 (1) and 3 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (As Amended) and under the inherent jurisdiction of this Honourable Court.”

Akpabio is listed as the appellant, while the respondents are Akpoti-Uduaghan, the Clerk of the National Assembly, the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions, Senator Neda Imasuen.

The Federal High Court in Abuja had in its judgment on July 4, 2025, faulted the suspension of the Kogi senator, describing it as excessive and unconstitutional.

However, when the senate president the Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal, the court struck out the motions ordering him to pay a N100,000 fine to the embattled Kogi senator.

Contending at the apex court, Akpabio is seeking extension of time to apply for leave to appeal on grounds of mixed law and fact, and an order deeming his notice of appeal and brief of argument as properly filed.

The former governor argued that the Senate acted within its powers under Section 60 of the 1999 Constitution, which allows the National Assembly to regulate its internal procedures.

Akpabio also contended that the Senate President was not under an obligation to immediately rule on every point of privilege and that the Senate lawfully activated its disciplinary process.

Akpoti-Uduaghan, however, has maintained that her suspension was unlawful and carried out without a fair hearing, insisting that the Senate failed to follow its own rules.

It was confirmed on Thursday that her lawyers had been served with the Supreme Court processes.