The Court of Appeal in Abuja on Monday affirmed the Senate’s decision to suspend Senator Natasha Akpoti, ruling that the upper legislative chamber acted within its constitutional authority.
In a unanimous judgment delivered by a three-member panel in an appeal filed by Akpoti-Uduaghan against the Clerk of the National Assembly and three others, marked CA/ABJ/CV/1107/2025, the court held that the suspension did not violate her parliamentary privileges or fundamental rights.
The appellate court, however, nullified the contempt proceedings and the N5 million fine earlier imposed on the senator over a satirical apology she addressed to Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
Delivering the lead judgment, Justice A. B. Muhammed stated that the Senate President acted in line with established rules when he declined to recognise Akpoti-Uduaghan during plenary on February 20, 2025, noting that she was not seated in her officially assigned position.
According to the court, the Senate President has the authority under Senate regulations to reassign seats, and lawmakers are required to address the chamber only from their designated seats.
