Kogi Central Senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has filed a counter-affidavit before the Supreme Court of Nigeria in opposition to an appeal filed by Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, following proceedings at the Court of Appeal.
Court documents seen in Abuja show that the counter-affidavit was deposed to by a senior legislative aide to the senator. The respondents are asking the apex court to dismiss the application entirely, arguing that it discloses no valid cause and amounts to an abuse of court process.
They noted that the Court of Appeal had already concluded hearing the substantive appeal on November 28, 2025, and reserved judgment. Approaching the Supreme Court at this stage, they argue, is an attempt to interfere with a process that is already at an advanced stage.
The filing maintains that all parties were given the opportunity to present their arguments in line with court rules. A key issue in the dispute relates to the 35-page limit for briefs of argument as prescribed by the Court of Appeal Rules, 2021. The respondents claim their legal teams complied with this requirement, while the Senate President’s brief allegedly exceeded the limit and was not regularised within the allowed timeframe.
They further argue that the grounds of appeal raised involve mixed questions of law and fact, which required prior leave of court that was not sought or obtained. Allegations concerning refusal of adjournment and fair hearing were also dismissed, with the respondents insisting that the Court of Appeal exercised its discretion properly.
Now before the Supreme Court, the case is expected to test important questions around appellate procedure, judicial discretion, and the limits of post-hearing legal interventions within Nigeria’s judicial system.
