The Nigerian Senate has filed a cross-appeal challenging parts of a recent judgment by the Federal High Court in Abuja, which advised the reinstatement of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan to her legislative duties.
In a notice of cross-appeal lodged at the Court of Appeal, Abuja division, the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio noted his dissatisfaction with specific portions of the ruling delivered on July 4, 2025, by Justice Binta Nyako in Suit No: FHC/ABJ/CS/384/2025.
The Senate President is seeking to overturn some elements of the judgment, which he believes were wrongly decided.
The Federal High Court’s ruling had advised the Senate to restore Senator Natasha to her seat, following a legal challenge over her suspension.
The judgment faulted the Senate’s decision to bar her from plenary, describing it as unconstitutional and a breach of her legislative rights.
Natasha, responding to the judgment, wrote a letter to the Senate notifying the chamber of her intentions to resume plenary on Tuesday.
However, owing to the passing of the former President of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari, the National Assembly has suspended plenary for two legislative days to honour the memory of the deceased.
The Clerk of the National Assembly, Kamoru Ogunlana in a statement disclosed that all plenary activities in both the Senate and House of Representatives have been suspended until Tuesday July 22nd, 2025.
Ogunlana explained the decision is a mark of deep respect for the former President and to allow lawmakers to fully participate in burial-related activities.
