Senate President Godswill Akpabio has escalated his legal battle over the suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan to the Supreme Court, seeking to overturn a ruling by the Court of Appeal that struck out the Federal Government’s brief of argument.
According to Vanguard, Akpabio’s legal team is asking the apex court to intervene, arguing that the appellate court’s decision was defective and unjust. The Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal had dismissed the brief on the grounds that it was fundamentally defective and incompetent for failing to comply with mandatory provisions of the Court of Appeal Rules.
The court cited several procedural violations, including the use of unauthorised font size and line spacing, exceeding the 35-page limit, and failure to seek leave to regularise the defects.
In its ruling, the Court of Appeal held that the breaches were not mere technical errors but substantive violations that affected the competence of the appeal.
Dissatisfied with the decision, Akpabio approached the Supreme Court, arguing that the appellate court denied him his constitutional right to fair hearing by refusing to grant leave to correct the errors or permit an extension beyond the page limit.
The case has sparked speculation about political undertones, with observers suggesting it reflects a deeper struggle for authority within the Senate rather than a purely legal dispute.
Akpoti-Uduaghan’s legal team has expressed confidence in the judiciary, describing the Supreme Court appeal as a last-ditch effort to overturn a lawful decision.
Sources within the Senate say the matter underscores ongoing tensions between Akpabio and the Kogi Central senator, whose outspoken stance and willingness to challenge Senate leadership have reportedly unsettled the existing power structure.
A senator, who spoke anonymously, summed it up by saying: “This is no longer just a legal disagreement. It has become a struggle over authority and control.”