The Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja has upheld the Senate’s authority to discipline its members, ruling that the suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan was lawful and consistent with parliamentary rules.
In a unanimous decision delivered on Monday, a three-man panel dismissed Akpoti-Uduaghan’s appeal against the Clerk of the National Assembly and three others in suit number **CA/ABJ/CV/1107/2025**, holding that her suspension did not infringe on her constitutional or legislative privileges.
However, the appellate court overturned the contempt ruling and the ₦5 million fine earlier imposed on the Kogi Central senator over a satirical apology she addressed to Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
Reading the lead judgment, Justice Abba Mohammed ruled that Senate President Akpabio acted within the Standing Orders when he denied Akpoti-Uduaghan the floor during plenary on February 20, 2025, after she refused to occupy her newly assigned seat.
The court emphasized that under Senate Rules, only lawmakers seated in their officially designated positions may be recognized to speak, adding that the Senate President has clear authority to reassign seats when necessary.
According to the judgment, Akpoti-Uduaghan was wrong to resist the seat reallocation and should have complied immediately before raising any objections. The panel further dismissed her argument that she was entitled to prior notice, noting that the Senate Rules make no provision for advance notification before seat changes.
The Court of Appeal also faulted the Federal High Court for assuming jurisdiction in the matter, stating that the trial court ought to have declined the case once it became clear that the Senate acted within its constitutional powers to discipline erring members.
Justice Mohammed added that Akpoti-Uduaghan’s refusal to appear before the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions further weakened her case, as the committee was properly constituted to address the issue.
On the claim that her suspension violated an earlier court order by Justice Obiora Egwuatu, the appellate court rejected the argument, explaining that the order ceased to have effect once the judge recused himself and the case was reassigned to Justice Binta Nyako.
While affirming the suspension, the court nonetheless set aside the contempt proceedings and the ₦5 million fine imposed by Justice Nyako. It held that the failure to serve Forms 48 and 49—mandatory processes in contempt proceedings—rendered the sanction invalid.
Consequently, the Court of Appeal nullified the contempt ruling and financial penalty against the senator, while leaving her suspension by the Senate intact.