News

Sen Natasha Files Counter-Affidavit Against Akpabio’s Supreme Court Appeal

ByTitilope Adako

PublishedFebruary 3, 2026

Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has filed a counter-affidavit at the Supreme Court of Nigeria, opposing an appeal by the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, stemming from proceedings at the Court of Appeal.

Court documents show that the counter-affidavit was deposed to by a Senior Legislative Aide to Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan and filed in response to Senator Akpabio’s Motion on Notice dated January 21, 2026.

The respondents are urging the apex court to dismiss the application entirely, arguing that it discloses no prima facie good cause and amounts to an abuse of court process.

They noted that the Court of Appeal had concluded hearing the substantive appeal on November 28, 2025, and had reserved judgment.

The counter-affidavit contends that approaching the Supreme Court at this stage is an attempt to interfere with an appellate process that has reached an advanced stage and is awaiting final determination.

It adds that the Senate President was given ample opportunity to present his case before the Court of Appeal, in full compliance with the Rules of Court.

The filing also highlights a procedural dispute over the brief of argument.

While the Court of Appeal Rules, 2021, set a maximum limit of 35 pages, the respondents say Senator Akpabio filed a brief exceeding this limit and failed to correct the defect within the time allowed.

The Court of Appeal is said to have rejected the over-length submission and proceeded to hear the appeal based on properly filed documents.

On the substantive legal issues, the counter-affidavit argues that the grounds of appeal raised by Senator Akpabio involve mixed questions of law and fact.

It insists that prior leave of court was mandatory for such grounds, which was not sought or obtained, rendering the appeal incompetent from the outset.

The filing further addresses allegations of unfair hearing and adjournment, noting that the decision to grant or refuse an adjournment rests within the court’s discretion.

It maintains that the Court of Appeal exercised its discretion judiciously and that the appellant was not denied fair hearing at any stage.

The respondents are asking the Supreme Court to dismiss the appeal in its entirety.

Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan described the suit as an attempt to stall or frustrate the delivery of judgment by the Court of Appeal.

Titilope Adako

Titilope Adako is a talented and intrepid journalist, dedicated to shedding light on the untold stories of Osun State and Nigeria. Through incisive reporting, she tackles a broad spectrum of topics, from politics and social justice to culture and entertainment, with a commitment to accuracy, empathy, and inspiring positive change.