Senate President Godswill Akpabio has appealed a Federal High Court ruling that ordered the immediate recall of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who was suspended for six months by the Senate earlier this year.

In a notice of appeal filed on July 14, Akpabio argued that the court overstepped its jurisdiction by interfering in what he called internal legislative matters. His legal team contends that issues related to Senate suspensions fall under parliamentary privilege and should not be subject to judicial review.

Akpabio’s appeal, which includes eleven grounds, claims the Federal High Court erred in law when it dismissed a preliminary objection filed by the Senate. He also argues that Akpoti-Uduaghan should have exhausted internal Senate procedures, such as appealing to the Senate Committee on Ethics, before taking the matter to court.

Among other reliefs sought, Akpabio is asking the Court of Appeal to strike out duplicated prayers in Akpoti-Uduaghan’s original suit and to nullify the lower court’s ruling that described the suspension as excessive. The appeal also raises concerns about a lack of fair hearing and procedural lapses, such as the alleged failure of the plaintiff to comply with a statutory three-month notice to the National Assembly.