Abuja: The Court of Appeal in Abuja has upheld the suspension of Sen. Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, affirming that the Senate acted within its powers. Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central Senatorial District, had challenged the decision of the Federal High Court, but her appeal was dismissed.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the appellate court, in a unanimous decision by a three-member panel, ruled that the Senate’s disciplinary action against Akpoti-Uduaghan was consistent with the rules of the House. The court found no breach of the Appellant’s parliamentary privilege or constitutional rights resulting from her suspension.
Justice Abba Bello Mohammed, delivering the judgment, referenced Section 66(4) of the Senate’s standing rules, which grants the Senate authority to enforce disciplinary measures to maintain order during its proceedings. The court did, however, vacate a contempt proceeding and a N5 million fine imposed on Akpoti-Uduaghan related to a satirical apology she made to Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
The court supported the Senate President’s decision to deny Akpoti-Uduaghan a speaking opportunity during a plenary on February 20, 2025, as she was not seated in her officially allotted seat. It emphasized that the Senate President is authorized to allocate seats and that members are required to speak from their designated seats.
The court further noted that Akpoti-Uduaghan’s refusal to accept the new seating arrangement and her failure to appear before the Senate Committee on Ethics, Petition and Privileges weakened her position. Her claims of a lack of prior notice regarding the seat change and violation of an order by Justice Obiora Egwuatu were dismissed. The court clarified that Justice Egwuatu’s order was no longer valid after he recused himself and the case was restarted under Justice Binta Nyako.