The Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja has upheld the constitutional powers of the Senate to discipline its members, ruling that the suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan was lawful and within the Senate’s authority.
In a unanimous judgment delivered on Monday, a three-member panel of the appellate court held that the upper legislative chamber acted in line with its constitutional mandate and internal procedures when it suspended the Kogi Central lawmaker over alleged misconduct.
The court further ruled that the suspension did not infringe on Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s parliamentary privileges or fundamental rights, affirming the Senate’s power to maintain order and discipline among its members.
However, the appellate court set aside the earlier finding of contempt and the ₦5 million fine imposed on the senator in relation to a satirical apology directed at the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, holding that the sanction was unsustainable in law.
In the lead judgment, Justice A. B. Muhammed also ruled that the Senate President acted within the rules by denying the senator the opportunity to speak during plenary on February 20, 2025, when she attempted to address the chamber from a seat not officially assigned to her.
According to the court, Senate Rules clearly vest the authority to allocate seats in the Senate President, and lawmakers are required to make contributions only from their designated seats.
The ruling reinforces the principle of legislative autonomy while cautioning against the imposition of excessive or disproportionate sanctions. It underscores the need for discipline in parliamentary proceedings, while affirming that all punitive measures must remain lawful, fair and proportionate.
