The Court of Appeal in Abuja has upheld the suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan by the Senate, ruling that the legislative body acted within its constitutional powers.
The appellate court delivered the judgment on Monday through a three-member panel in an appeal filed by Akpoti-Uduaghan against the Clerk of the National Assembly and three other respondents.
The appeal, marked CA/ABJ/CV/1107/2025, challenged the legality of her suspension and related disciplinary actions taken by the Senate.
In a unanimous decision, the court held that the suspension did not breach the senator’s parliamentary privileges nor violate her fundamental constitutional rights.
The court ruled that the Senate was empowered under its rules to discipline its members and that the actions taken against Akpoti-Uduaghan were consistent with established legislative procedures.
However, the appellate court set aside the contempt proceedings earlier initiated against the senator, as well as the ₦5 million fine imposed on her.
The contempt charge arose from a satirical apology allegedly directed at Senate President Godswill Akpabio, which the lower court had ruled amounted to contempt of court.
Delivering the lead judgment, Justice A. B. Muhammed stated that Senate President Akpabio acted within the Senate Rules by preventing Akpoti-Uduaghan from speaking during plenary on 20 February 2025.
The court noted that Akpoti-Uduaghan was not seated in her officially designated position at the time she attempted to address the chamber.
Justice Muhammed further explained that under Senate Rules, the Senate President has the authority to reassign seating arrangements, and lawmakers are only permitted to speak from their officially assigned seats during plenary sessions.