By Onyeanya Ebere Immaculata
The Court of Appeal in Abuja on Monday upheld the suspension of the senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, ruling that the Senate acted within its constitutional and procedural powers.
In a unanimous decision by a three-member panel, the court held that the suspension for misconduct did not breach the senator’s parliamentary privileges or fundamental rights.
However, the court set aside the contempt proceedings and the N5 million fine imposed on Akpoti-Uduaghan over the satirical apology she issued to Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
In the lead judgment, Justice A. B. Muhammed also ruled that Akpabio acted in line with Senate Rules when he denied the senator the opportunity to speak during plenary on February 20, 2025.
The court held that the Senate President has the authority to allocate seats to lawmakers and that members may only speak from their officially designated seats, noting that Akpoti-Uduaghan was not seated in her assigned place during the incident.
