Senate President Godswill Akpabio has filed a notice of appeal at the Supreme Court, challenging the November 28, 2025, judgment of the Court of Appeal, Abuja, which quashed the suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan representing Kogi Central.
The dispute stems from the Akpabio-led Senate’s suspension of Akpoti-Uduaghan, a decision the appellate court later overturned.
Akpabio is contesting the appellate court’s refusal to allow him rely on a brief of argument that exceeded the 35-page limit set by the Court of Appeal rules.
Through his legal team led by Senior Advocate of Nigeria Kehinde Ogunwumiju, Akpabio argued that the refusal violated his constitutional right to a fair hearing under Section 36(1) of the 1999 Constitution.
He also contended that Akpoti-Uduaghan’s own brief breached court formatting rules, citing the use of font size 12 and single spacing, instead of the mandated font size 14 and 1.5 spacing.
“The respondent’s brief only complied with the page limit due to this formatting violation and without seeking leave of the court to depart from the rules,” the appeal stated.
Akpabio added that he filed a preliminary objection regarding the defects in the respondent’s notice of appeal, which necessitated a longer brief to address both the preliminary objection and substantive appeal.
His motion for leave to rely on a brief exceeding 35 pages was denied by the Court of Appeal, prompting him to seek redress from the Supreme Court.
“The lower court sacrificed justice on the altar of speed,” the appeal argued, adding that the refusal to allow a replacement brief amounted to unequal treatment, as the respondent’s non-compliant brief was accepted.
Akpabio is asking the apex court to set aside the Court of Appeal’s judgment, nullify proceedings of November 28, 2025, and uphold his constitutional right to a fair hearing.
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