The Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal has upheld the suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan by the Senate, ruling that the red chamber acted within its constitutional and procedural powers. The court held that the suspension did not violate the senator’s parliamentary privileges or fundamental rights.
In its judgment on appeal number CA/ABJ/CV/1107/2025, the appellate court, however, struck out the ₦5 million fine and contempt proceedings earlier imposed on the Kogi Central lawmaker over a satirical apology directed at Senate President Godswill Akpabio. The court also set aside the order compelling her to tender a formal apology.
Delivering the lead judgment, Justice A. B. Muhammed ruled that Senate President Akpabio acted in line with Senate Rules when he denied Akpoti-Uduaghan the opportunity to speak during plenary on February 20, 2025, noting that she was not seated in her officially assigned seat. The court affirmed that the Senate President has the authority to reassign seats and that lawmakers may only speak from their designated positions.
While the ruling brings closure to the contempt aspect of the dispute in the senator’s favour, it leaves intact her six-month suspension from the Senate, a decision that has continued to spark public debate. Legal experts and civil society groups have maintained that the duration of the suspension raises constitutional concerns, particularly regarding the right of constituents to effective representation.