The Court of Appeal in Abuja has affirmed the Senate’s decision to suspend Kogi Central lawmaker, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, over misconduct.
A three-member panel of justices unanimously ruled that the Senate acted within its constitutional and procedural powers.
The court held that the suspension did not violate Akpoti-Uduaghan’s parliamentary privilege or fundamental rights.
However, the appellate court set aside the contempt charge and the N5 million fine earlier imposed on the senator.
The fine followed a satirical apology directed at Senate President Godswill Akpabio during the dispute.
In the lead judgment delivered by Justice Abba Muhammed, the court faulted no action taken by the Senate President.
The panel ruled that Akpabio was right to deny the senator permission to speak during plenary.
The court noted that Akpoti-Uduaghan was not seated in her officially assigned position at the time.
It stressed that Senate rules empower the presiding officer to allocate seats to lawmakers.
According to the judgment, senators are permitted to speak only from their designated seats.
The ruling effectively validates the Senate’s disciplinary authority while nullifying the associated contempt sanction.
