The Court of Appeal in Abuja on Monday ruled that the Senate acted lawfully in suspending the lawmaker representing Kogi Central, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, over alleged misconduct.
In a unanimous judgment delivered by a three-man panel of justices, the appellate court held that the Senate did not violate the senator’s parliamentary privileges or constitutional rights by imposing the suspension.
However, the court set aside the contempt charge and the N5 million fine earlier imposed on Akpoti-Uduaghan in connection with a satirical apology she issued to Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
In the lead judgment delivered by Justice A. B. Muhammed, the court further ruled that Senate President Akpabio acted within the provisions of the Senate Rules when he prevented the senator from speaking during plenary on February 20, 2025, because she was not seated in her officially assigned seat.
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According to the court, the Senate President has the authority to allocate seating positions to lawmakers, and members are only permitted to address the chamber from their designated seats.
The ruling effectively affirms the Senate’s disciplinary powers while partially relieving the embattled senator of penalties imposed in relation to the contempt proceedings.