Dare Babalola
Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central, has submitted a counter-affidavit to the Supreme Court in opposition to an appeal filed by Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
Court documents sighted by Punch correspondent in Abuja showed that the counter-affidavit, marked SC/CV/1111/2025, was deposed to by a Senior Legislative Aide to Akpoti-Uduaghan and filed in response to Akpabio’s Motion on Notice dated January 21, 2026.
The respondents urged the apex court to “dismiss the application,” describing it as “lacking merit and an abuse of court process.”
They stated that “the Court of Appeal had concluded hearing in the substantive appeal on November 28, 2025, and reserved the matter for judgment,” adding that approaching the Supreme Court at this stage amounted to an attempt to interfere with an ongoing appellate process.
The respondents argued that Akpabio had a fair chance to present his case at the Court of Appeal, and Akpoti-Uduaghan’s brief was properly filed without any objections.
They claimed Akpabio’s brief exceeded the 35-page limit set by the Court of Appeal Rules, 2021, unlike other parties who complied. The brief wasn’t regularised on time, leading the court to reject it.
The counter-affidavit also stated that Akpabio’s appeal grounds raised mixed law and fact issues without the court’s prior permission, making the appeal invalid.
The respondents dismissed claims of unfair treatment, stating the Court of Appeal made a fair decision, and asked the Supreme Court to dismiss Akpabio’s appeal as a delay tactic.
This latest move follows Akpabio’s recent appeal to the Supreme Court regarding Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension, filed just a week ago.
The row started when Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended in February 2025 after a Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions recommendation, following a plenary session.
Akpoti-Uduaghan took her suspension to the Federal High Court in Abuja, which ruled on July 4, 2025, that the suspension was excessive and unconstitutional.
The legal fight persists even though Akpoti-Uduaghan’s six-month suspension has ended. Akpabio is now seeking the Supreme Court’s permission to appeal, while Akpoti-Uduaghan maintains her suspension was unlawful and breached her right to a fair hearing.
