Appeal Court Upholds Natasha’s Suspension, Says Senate Acted Within Its Powers

The Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja on Monday, February 9, upheld the suspension of the Senator representing Kogi Central, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, over alleged misconduct, ruling that the Senate acted within the powers granted to it by law.

In a unanimous judgment delivered by a three-member panel of justices, the appellate court held that it was satisfied that neither the Senator’s parliamentary privilege nor her constitutional rights were violated by her suspension from the Senate.

However, the court set aside the contempt proceedings and the ₦5 million fine earlier imposed on Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan in connection with a satirical apology she made to the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio.

In the lead judgment delivered by Justice A. B. Muhammed, the court further held that the Senate President acted correctly in denying the Senator the opportunity to speak during plenary on February 20, 2025, because she was not seated in the official seat allocated to her.

The court explained that, under the Senate Rules, the Senate President is empowered to allocate seats to lawmakers, and members are only permitted to speak from the seats assigned to them.

Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended by the Senate for six months, with effect from March 6, 2025, over alleged misconduct and violations of the Senate Rules 2023 (as amended).

Her suspension followed a face-off with Senate President Godswill Akpabio over seating arrangements during plenary.