Appeal Court Upholds Senate’s Suspension of Natasha, Voids N5m Contempt Fine

The Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal has upheld the suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan by the Nigerian Senate, ruling that the red chamber acted within the scope of its constitutional and procedural powers.

In a unanimous judgment delivered by a three-member panel in appeal number CA/ABJ/CV/1107/2025, the appellate court dismissed Akpoti-Uduaghan’s claims that her suspension violated her parliamentary privileges or fundamental rights. The appeal was filed against the Clerk of the National Assembly and three others.

Global Mirror News reports that the court agreed with the Senate’s position that internal legislative rules permit the suspension of any member found to have breached standing orders.

Justice Abba Mohammed, who delivered the lead judgment, held that the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, acted in line with Senate Rules when he denied the senator the opportunity to speak during plenary on February 20, 2025, after she failed to sit in her officially designated seat.

The court further noted that the Senate President is empowered to reallocate seats to lawmakers and that members are only allowed to speak from their allotted seats.

It ruled that Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan erred by refusing to comply with the directive to move to her new seat, adding that there is no provision requiring prior notice before seat reallocation.

The appellate court also faulted the senator’s refusal to appear before the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions, describing the action as detrimental to her case.

It added that the Federal High Court ought to have declined jurisdiction after establishing that the Senate acted within its powers.

However, the Court of Appeal set aside the contempt proceedings and the ₦5 million fine earlier imposed on the Kogi Central lawmaker over a satirical apology directed at the Senate President.

According to the court, the failure to properly serve mandatory Forms 48 and 49 rendered the contempt charge defective.

The court also dismissed claims that the suspension violated an earlier order by Justice Obiora Egwuatu, noting that the order ceased to have effect after the judge recused himself and the matter was reassigned to Justice Binta Nyako.

In its final decision, the appellate court affirmed the Senate’s disciplinary action but nullified the contempt ruling and financial penalty, bringing partial relief to the embattled lawmaker.