Senate president challenges court’s jurisdiction in Akpoti-Uduaghan’s recall case

The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, has filed an appeal against the ruling of the Federal High Court Abuja, which directed the recall of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan to the Senate following her suspension.

 Senator Akpabio’s legal team is contesting the July 4 judgment delivered by Justice Binta Nyako, as the Senate President’s appeal is based on eleven grounds, including, lack of Jurisdiction.

Akpabio’s lawyers argued that the matter concerns the internal affairs of the National Assembly and falls outside judicial purview as provided under Section 251 of the 1999 Constitution.

He claimed that Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suit was premature and did not exhaust the internal dispute resolution channels of the Senate, particularly the Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions.

Akpabio faulted the trial court for merging interlocutory reliefs with substantive claims and for breaching his right to a fair hearing.

Akpabio, who is seeking several reliefs from the Court of Appeal, including, setting aside the judgment, wants the Court of Appeal to set aside the July 4 judgment delivered by Justice Nyako.

Akpabio is also asking the court to dismiss Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suit for lack of jurisdiction.

He also wants the court to reject the trial court’s “advisory opinions” to the Senate, particularly those relating to amending its rules or recalling a suspended member.

The appeal will be heard by the Court of Appeal, which will determine whether to uphold or set aside the Federal High Court’s judgment.