bloomshorts Senate President Appeals Court Decision
Senate President Godswill Akpabio has taken legal steps to challenge the Federal High Court Abuja’s ruling that mandated the recall of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan. The appeal targets the July 4 judgment by Justice Binta Nyako, questioning the court’s authority over Senate internal matters.
Legal Grounds of the Appeal
Akpabio’s appeal is based on 11 grounds, including claims that the High Court lacked jurisdiction under Section 251 of the 1999 Constitution. The Senate President’s legal team argues that parliamentary procedures, including suspensions, are protected from judicial interference by the Legislative Houses (Powers and Privileges) Act.
Allegations of Procedural Irregularities
The appeal also highlights alleged procedural errors, such as the merging of interlocutory reliefs with substantive claims and the failure to serve a three-month notice to the Clerk of the National Assembly before legal action, as required by Section 21 of the Legislative Houses Act.
Seeking Appellate Court Intervention
Akpabio is urging the Court of Appeal to set aside the High Court’s judgment, dismiss the suit for lack of jurisdiction, and reject what he describes as the trial court’s unwarranted advisory opinions to the Senate.
