The Court of Appeal in Abuja has ruled that the Nigerian Senate acted within its powers when it suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central, for misconduct.
In a unanimous decision delivered on Monday by a three-member panel of justices, the appellate court held that the senator’s parliamentary privileges and constitutional rights were not violated by her suspension.
However, the court vacated a contempt proceeding and a N5 million fine previously imposed on Akpoti-Uduaghan. The sanctions were over a satirical apology the senator made to Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
Delivering the lead judgment, Justice A. B. Muhammed stated that the Senate President acted within his authority when he denied the lawmaker—who was not seated in her officially allocated position—the chance to speak during plenary on February 20, 2025.
The ruling emphasized that under Senate rules, the President of the Senate has the authority to assign seats to members, and lawmakers may only address the chamber from their assigned positions.
