The Court of Appeal in Abuja has ruled that the Senate acted within its constitutional powers when it suspended Kogi Central Senator Natasha Akpoti Uduaghan over alleged misconduct.
In a unanimous decision by a three member panel, the court said the suspension did not violate the senator’s parliamentary privilege or her fundamental rights.
However, the appellate court set aside the contempt proceedings and the five million naira fine earlier imposed on her. The penalty was linked to a satirical apology directed at Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
In the lead judgment delivered by Justice A. B. Muhammed, the court also backed the Senate President’s decision not to recognise the senator during plenary on February 20 2025.
The judges said she was not seated in her officially assigned position at the time.
The court added that Senate rules give the Senate President authority to assign seats and require lawmakers to speak only from their designated positions.
