The Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja has upheld the suspension of the senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, affirming that the Senate acted within its constitutional and procedural powers.
In a judgment delivered on Monday, the appellate court ruled that the Senate has the authority to discipline its members and that Akpoti-Uduaghan’s fundamental rights were not breached, contrary to her claims.
Delivering the lead judgment, Justice Abba Bello Mohammed held that under Section 66(4) of the Senate Standing Rules, the Senate is empowered to take disciplinary measures to preserve order and decorum during its proceedings.
The court found that the senator acted wrongly during the February 20, 2025 plenary session when she openly refused to comply with a directive by the Senate President to move to a newly assigned seat.
Justice Mohammed dismissed her argument that she was entitled to prior notice before the seat reassignment, noting that the Senate rules do not require advance notification for such administrative decisions.
In a unanimous decision, the Court of Appeal further held that the Federal High Court ought to have declined jurisdiction after discovering that the dispute was an internal legislative matter governed by the Senate’s Standing Rules.
The appellate court stressed that upon being informed of the seat reassignment, the senator was expected to comply immediately, adding that the Senate acted correctly by invoking Order Six, Rule Two, following her persistent refusal to obey lawful directives.
The court also noted that Akpoti-Uduaghan’s failure to appear before the Senate Committee on Ethics, Petitions and Privileges further weakened her case.
Similarly, the Court of Appeal rejected her claim that her suspension violated an earlier court order issued by Justice Obiora Egwuatu, explaining that the order lost effect after the judge recused himself and the case commenced afresh before Justice Binta Nyako.
However, the appellate court faulted the contempt proceedings instituted against the senator and the ₦5 million fine imposed by the Federal High Court.
According to the court, the failure to serve Forms 48 and 49—mandatory procedural requirements in contempt proceedings—was fatal to the case.
Consequently, the Court of Appeal set aside the contempt proceedings and nullified the ₦5 million fine imposed on Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan.
