Tuesday, February 10, 2026 -The Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja today February 9, upheld the suspension of the lawmaker representing Kogi Central, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, for misconduct, saying that the Senate acted within its powers to suspend her.
In a unanimous decision delivered by a three-member panel of
Justices, the court held that it was satisfied that neither the Appellant’s
parliamentary privilege nor her constitutional rights were breached as a result
of her suspension from the Senate.
The court however vacated the contempt proceeding and N5
million fine that were awarded against Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan over the
satirical apology she made to the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio.
More so, the appellate court, in its lead verdict that was
delivered by Justice A. B. Muhammed held that the Senate President was not
wrong to have denied the Appellant who was not on the official seat that was
allotted to her during plenary on February 20, 2025, the opportunity to speak.
It held that the Senate President is empowered by the Rules
to allocate seats to members, adding that lawmakers are only allowed to speak
from seats allocated to them.
The Senate suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan for six
months, effective March 6, 2025, over alleged misconduct and violation of
Senate rules 2023 (as amended). She was suspended after her faceoff with Senate
President, Godswill Akpabio over seat arrangement.
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