By Muhammad Mamman
Nigeria’s Senate President Godswill Akpabio has escalated a high-profile legal battle over the suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, filing an appeal at the Supreme Court after suffering a major setback at the Court of Appeal.
Court documents seen by Al Jazeera show that Akpabio is asking the country’s highest court to overturn an appellate ruling that weakened his position in the dispute, which has drawn national attention over questions of legislative power, internal party discipline and lawmakers’ rights.
The case stems from the suspension of Akpoti-Uduaghan, a senator representing Kogi Central, following a heated confrontation on the Senate floor earlier this year. She has challenged the action, arguing that the suspension was unlawful and violated her constitutional right to represent her constituents.
The Court of Appeal, in a ruling delivered earlier this month, faulted aspects of the Senate’s handling of the matter, a decision widely viewed as a blow to Akpabio’s defence of the chamber’s disciplinary authority.
In his appeal to the Supreme Court, Akpabio is seeking clarity on the extent of the Senate president’s powers and the legislature’s autonomy to discipline its members without judicial interference.
Legal analysts say the Supreme Court’s decision could have far-reaching implications for parliamentary governance in Nigeria, particularly on the balance between legislative privilege and individual lawmakers’ rights.
Akpoti-Uduaghan has maintained that her suspension was politically motivated and has vowed to pursue the case to its conclusion. Her legal team says it is confident the apex court will uphold the principles laid down by the Court of Appeal.
The Supreme Court has yet to fix a date for hearing the appeal.
