APPEAL COURT UPHOLDS NATASHA AKPOTI-UDUAGHAN'S SENATE SUSPENSION, AFFIRMS LEGISLATURE'S DISCIPLINARY POWERS

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The Court of Appeal in Abuja on Monday upheld the Nigerian Senate's suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (PDP, Kogi Central), ruling that the upper chamber acted within its constitutional powers to discipline members for misconduct.

A three-member panel, led by Justice Abba Muhammed, delivered a unanimous decision stating that the suspension did not breach the senator's parliamentary privileges or fundamental rights.

The court affirmed the Senate President's authority under Senate Rules to allocate seats and deny speaking privileges to members not in their assigned positions. It referenced a February 20, 2025, plenary incident where Akpoti-Uduaghan was denied the floor after sitting in an unallocated seat and reacting angrily to a seat reallocation.

The appellate court also dismissed suggestions from a lower court to reconsider the suspension's length and struck out related aspects of the suit for lack of jurisdiction, as the Federal High Court cannot review internal Senate proceedings unless they violate the Constitution

In a partial victory for the senator, the court vacated a previous contempt conviction and ₦5 million fine imposed for a satirical apology to Senate President Godswill Akpabio. The panel ruled the contempt proceedings invalid due to failure to properly serve mandatory legal forms (Forms 48 and 49), rendering the process void.

The case stemmed from Akpoti-Uduaghan's six-month suspension in 2025 over alleged misconduct, which she challenged in court. A Federal High Court had earlier issued rulings on the matter, leading to appeals from both sides.

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