The Court of Appeal in Abuja has affirmed the Nigerian Senate’s decision to suspend Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central, ruling that the upper chamber acted within its constitutional and legislative powers.
In a unanimous judgment delivered on Monday by a three-member panel in appeal suit marked CA/ABJ/CV/1107/2025, the appellate court held that the suspension did not violate the senator’s parliamentary privileges or her fundamental rights under the Constitution.
The lead judgment, read by Justice A. B. Muhammed, emphasized that the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, was justified under the Senate Standing Rules in refusing to allow Akpoti-Uduaghan to speak during plenary on February 20, 2025. The court noted that she was not seated in her officially allotted seat at the time.
The justices further clarified that the Senate President has the authority to reallocate seats among lawmakers, and senators may only address the chamber from their designated positions.
The ruling stemmed from Akpoti-Uduaghan’s challenge to her suspension, naming the Clerk of the National Assembly and three others as respondents.
However, the court granted partial relief to the appellant by setting aside the contempt proceedings and a N5 million fine previously imposed on her. These sanctions related to a satirical apology she had directed at the Senate President.
