By Joy Yesufu
The Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal on Monday affirmed the decision of the Senate to suspend Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, ruling that the upper legislative chamber acted within its constitutional and procedural powers.
In a unanimous judgment delivered by a three-member panel, the appellate court dismissed Akpoti-Uduaghan’s appeal against the Clerk of the National Assembly and three others in Suit No. CA/ABJ/CV/1107/2025.
The court held that the suspension did not violate the senator’s parliamentary privileges or infringe on her fundamental rights as guaranteed under the Constitution.
However, the panel overturned the contempt proceedings and the ₦5 million fine earlier imposed on the lawmaker in connection with a satirical apology directed at the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio.
Delivering the lead judgment, Justice A. B. Muhammed ruled that Senate President Akpabio acted in accordance with the Senate Standing Rules when he declined to recognise Akpoti-Uduaghan during plenary on February 20, 2025.
The court found that the senator was not seated in her officially designated seat at the time she sought to speak, noting that Senate rules require members to speak only from their allocated seats.
Justice Muhammed further held that the Senate President possesses the authority to reassign seats to senators and to enforce order during proceedings.
The judgment effectively affirms the Senate’s internal disciplinary powers while setting limits on punitive actions that fall outside due process.
