The Court of Appeal in Abuja has upheld the Senate’s power to suspend Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan over misconduct, but cancelled the N5 million fine imposed on her for contempt.
In a unanimous ruling on Monday, a three-member panel of judges said the Senate acted within its constitutional and parliamentary powers when it suspended the Kogi Central lawmaker. The court also ruled that her constitutional rights and parliamentary privileges were not violated.
The judges further held that the Senate President acted within his authority when he stopped Akpoti-Uduaghan from speaking during plenary on 20 February 2025, noting that she was not seated in her officially assigned position at the time. The court said lawmakers are required to speak only from their designated seats in line with chamber rules.
However, the appellate court set aside the N5 million fine and cancelled the contempt proceedings that followed a satirical apology she posted on social media about the Senate President.
Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended in March 2025 after a dispute with the Senate President over seating arrangements during plenary. The Senate later adopted a report by its Ethics Committee and suspended her for six months, sealing her office and stopping her salaries and allowances.
She challenged the suspension in court, describing it as unconstitutional and linked to an earlier petition she had filed against the Senate President. A Federal High Court had earlier ruled the suspension excessive and fined her for contempt, prompting both parties to appeal parts of the judgement.
Although her suspension ended in September 2025, the legal battle continued, and the latest ruling is expected to move the case closer to the Supreme Court for final determination.
