Senate President Godswill Akpabio has taken legal steps to halt the Federal High Court proceedings in the case filed by suspended Kogi Central Senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
Akpabio, through his legal team, has approached the Court of Appeal, requesting a stay of proceedings while contesting an interlocutory decision issued by the lower court on 10 March.
According to Premium Times, this move is a major setback for Akpoti-Uduaghan, who is challenging her six-month suspension by the Senate.
The Federal High Court had initially placed an injunction on the Senate’s disciplinary process against her on 4 March, but the Senate proceeded with the suspension on 6 March.
In response, Akpoti-Uduaghan filed a motion for a mandatory injunction and contempt proceedings against the Senate.
On 10 March, the Federal High Court ruled that all pending applications in the case would be heard together, a decision Akpabio’s legal team argues is against established legal principles.
Seeking to delay the case, Akpabio’s lawyers filed a similar application at the Federal High Court on 20 March, alongside their Court of Appeal motion.
Interestingly, the Court of Appeal promptly scheduled a hearing for 25 March—the same day the Federal High Court was set to hear all applications in the suit.
This legal maneuver could effectively delay Akpoti-Uduaghan’s case, prolonging her suspension.
Akpabio argues that proceeding with the case at the High Court while an appeal is pending could render any future judgment by the appellate court ineffective.
With both courts set to deliberate on the matter simultaneously, the legal battle is far from over.
The outcome could have significant implications for the Senate’s authority and judicial oversight in legislative matters.