A decision of the Court of Appeal in Abuja has affirmed the authority of the Senate to discipline its members, ruling that the suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan did not violate the law.
In a unanimous judgment delivered on Monday, a three-man panel of the appellate court held that the Senate acted within its constitutional and procedural powers when it suspended the Kogi Central lawmaker for misconduct.
While upholding the suspension, the court ruled that Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s parliamentary privilege and fundamental rights were not breached by the action taken against her by the upper legislative chamber.
However, the court overturned the contempt finding and the ₦5 million fine earlier imposed on the senator over a satirical apology she directed at Senate President Godswill Akpabio, holding that the punishment was not sustainable.
Delivering the lead judgment, Justice A. B. Muhammed further ruled that the Senate President acted correctly by denying the senator the floor during plenary on February 20, 2025, when she attempted to speak from a seat not officially allocated to her.
According to the court, the Senate Rules empower the Senate President to assign seats to lawmakers, and members are only permitted to contribute to proceedings from their designated positions.
The judgment reinforces the internal autonomy of the legislature while drawing a clear line against excessive sanctions. It affirms discipline as essential to parliamentary order but also signals that punitive measures must remain proportionate and legally sound.
