The Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal has upheld the suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan by the Senate, ruling that the red chamber acted within its constitutional and procedural powers.
In a unanimous judgment delivered on Monday by a three-member panel in appeal number CA/ABJ/CV/1107/2025, the court dismissed Akpoti-Uduaghan’s challenge against the Clerk of the National Assembly and three others, holding that her suspension did not violate her parliamentary privileges or fundamental rights.
However, the appellate court set aside the contempt proceedings and the N5 million fine earlier imposed on the senator over a satirical apology she addressed to Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
Delivering the lead judgment, Justice A. B. Muhammed ruled that the Senate President acted in accordance with Senate Rules when he denied Akpoti-Uduaghan the opportunity to speak during plenary on February 20, 2025, on the grounds that she was not seated in her officially assigned seat.
The court held that the Senate President has the authority to reassign seats to lawmakers and that senators are only permitted to speak from their designated seats during plenary sessions.
The ruling effectively affirms the Senate’s disciplinary powers over its members, while limiting sanctions that fall outside established parliamentary procedures.
