The Court of Appeal in Abuja has affirmed the Senate’s decision to suspend Senator Natasha Akpoti.
They have ruled that the red chamber acted within its powers.
In a unanimous judgment delivered by a three-member panel in Natasha’s appeal against the Clerk of the National Assembly and three others, the appellate court ruled that the suspension did not breach Akpoti-Uduaghan’s parliamentary privileges or constitutional rights.
However, the court set aside the contempt proceedings and a N5m fine imposed on the lawmaker over a satirical apology she directed at the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio.
Delivering the lead judgment, Justice A. B. Muhammed held that the Senate President acted within the Rules by denying Akpoti-Uduaghan the opportunity to speak during plenary on February 20, 2025, as she was not seated in her officially allotted seat.
The court noted that the Senate President is empowered under the Senate Rules to reallocate seats to lawmakers, and that members are only permitted to speak from their designated seats.
