Appeal Court Upholds Natasha’s Suspension, Says Senate Acted Within the Law

The Court of Appeal, Abuja Division, on Monday affirmed the suspension of the Kogi Central Senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, by the Senate.

The appellate court held that the Senate has the constitutional power to discipline any erring member and that, in this instance, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s fundamental rights were not breached as alleged.
Delivering judgment in the appeal filed by Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan against the decision of the Federal High Court, Justice Abba Bello Mohammed held that, by virtue of Section 66(4) of the Senate Standing Rules, the Senate is empowered to invoke disciplinary measures to maintain order in its proceedings.
The court found that the senator acted wrongly during the February 20, 2025 incident when the Senate President reallocated her seat and she refused to comply with the directive.
It further held that her claim of not being given prior notice of the seat change was untenable, noting that there is no provision requiring prior notification for such reallocation.
In a unanimous judgment, Justice Mohammed stated that the Federal High Court ought to have declined jurisdiction in the matter, having established that the Senate acted within the provisions that permit it to suspend any erring member.
The Court of Appeal added that Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, upon being informed of the seat reallocation, ought to have moved to the new seat, stressing that the Senate was right to enforce Order Six, Rule Two following her persistent refusal to obey its directive.
The court also noted that her refusal to appear before the Senate Committee on Ethics, Petitions and Privileges further weakened her case.
Similarly, the appellate court dismissed her claim that the suspension was carried out in violation of an order made by Justice Obiora Egwuatu, explaining that since Justice Egwuatu recused himself and the matter commenced afresh before Justice Binta Nyako, the earlier order was no longer subsisting.
However, the Court of Appeal faulted the contempt proceedings and the N5 million fine imposed on the senator by Justice Binta Nyako.
According to the court, the failure of the trial court to serve Forms 48 and 49 on the Kogi Central senator was fatal to the contempt charge.
Consequently, the Court of Appeal set aside the contempt proceedings and the N5 million fine imposed on Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan.