The Court of Appeal in Abuja has kept its ruling for a later date in the legal battle between Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan over her suspension from the Senate.
A panel of three judges made the decision after lawyers to both parties presented and adopted their written submissions before the court. Akpabio is asking the appellate court to cancel the earlier judgment of the Federal High Court, which had declared the six-month suspension of Akpoti-Uduaghan unlawful and a breach of her constituents’ right to representation.
He argued through his legal team that the lower court had no authority to handle the matter because it involved the internal workings of the National Assembly, which are protected by the Constitution and legislative laws. He also challenged the orders made by the trial court, saying they wrongly interfered with Senate procedures.
On her part, Akpoti-Uduaghan also filed an appeal against the N5 million fine given to her by the Federal High Court over a Facebook post that was ruled as contempt while her case was still pending. She claimed that the contempt ruling had no legal basis and violated her fundamental rights.
The case started from her earlier suit seeking to stop the Senate from investigating her over alleged misconduct. During the hearing, Akpabio, through his lawyer, withdrew one of his cross-appeals, stating that it had become unnecessary since the senator had already returned to the Senate. The court dismissed the withdrawn appeal.
The Court of Appeal has announced that the date for its final judgment will be communicated to both parties later.