JUST IN: Court affirms Senate’s authority in Natasha’s suspension, overturns fine

The Court of Appeal in Abuja has affirmed that the Senate acted within its constitutional powers in suspending the senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, over alleged misconduct.

In a unanimous judgment delivered by a three-member panel, the appellate court held that the senator’s suspension did not violate her parliamentary privilege or constitutional rights.

However, the court set aside the contempt proceedings and the ₦5 million fine imposed on Akpoti-Uduaghan following a satirical apology she directed at the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio.

Delivering the lead judgment, Justice Abba Muhammed ruled that the Senate President acted lawfully in denying the Kogi lawmaker the opportunity to speak during plenary on February 20, 2025, as she was not seated in the position officially allocated to her.

The court noted that under the Senate Rules, the Senate President is empowered to assign seats to lawmakers and that members are only permitted to speak from their designated seats.

Appeal Court affirms Senate’s authority in Akpoti-Uduaghan suspension, overturns fine

The Court of Appeal in Abuja has affirmed that the Senate acted within its constitutional powers in suspending the senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, over alleged misconduct.

In a unanimous judgment delivered by a three-member panel, the appellate court held that the senator’s suspension did not violate her parliamentary privilege or constitutional rights.

However, the court set aside the contempt proceedings and the ₦5 million fine imposed on Akpoti-Uduaghan following a satirical apology she directed at the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio.

Delivering the lead judgment, Justice Abba Muhammed ruled that the Senate President acted lawfully in denying the Kogi lawmaker the opportunity to speak during plenary on February 20, 2025, as she was not seated in the position officially allocated to her.

The court noted that under the Senate Rules, the Senate President is empowered to assign seats to lawmakers and that members are only permitted to speak from their designated seats.