The Court of Appeal in Abuja on Friday upheld the suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, affirming that the Senate acted within its constitutional powers.
The judgment has stirred fresh debate about legislative discipline, lawmakers’ rights, and the limits of parliamentary privilege in Nigeria.
Delivering a unanimous decision, a three-member panel of Justices ruled that the suspension of the Kogi Central lawmaker did not breach her constitutional rights.
The court held that it was satisfied that neither the Appellant’s parliamentary privilege nor her fundamental rights were violated by the Senate’s action.
However, the appellate court offered partial relief. It set aside the contempt proceedings and the ₦5 million fine earlier imposed on Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan.
These sanctions were linked to the satirical apology she made to Senate President Godswill Akpabio, which had drawn controversy nationwide.
In its lead judgment, delivered by Justice A. B. Muhammed, the court also addressed the heated plenary session that triggered the dispute.
The panel ruled that the Senate President acted within the Senate Rules when he denied the senator the opportunity to speak from an unassigned seat during plenary on February 20, 2025.
According to the court, the Senate President is empowered to allocate seats to lawmakers. Moreover, members are only permitted to speak from seats officially assigned to them.
Therefore, the refusal to recognize Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan at the time was described as procedurally valid.
The case stemmed from a tense confrontation over seating arrangements, which later escalated into allegations of misconduct. As a result, the Senate suspended the lawmaker for six months, effective March 6, 2025. The suspension was based on alleged violations of Senate rules 2023, as amended.
In addition, the ruling has broader implications for the Senate suspension of Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
The judgment appears to strengthen the authority of Senate leadership in enforcing rules, even when disputes become politically sensitive.
