The Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal has affirmed the suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti, ruling that the Senate acted within its constitutional powers.
The decision was delivered on Monday by a three-member panel in Akpoti’s appeal against the Clerk of the National Assembly and three others, under case number CA/ABJ/CV/1107/2025.
In a unanimous judgment, the appellate court held that the suspension did not violate Akpoti-Uduaghan’s parliamentary privileges or constitutional rights.
However, the court set aside the contempt proceedings and the N5 million fine previously imposed on the senator over a satirical apology she directed at Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
Justice A. B. Muhammed, delivering the lead judgment, stated that the Senate President acted within the Rules by preventing Akpoti from speaking during plenary on February 20, 2025, because she was not seated in her officially assigned place.
The court further noted that under Senate Rules, the Senate President has the authority to reassign seats, and lawmakers are only permitted to speak from their designated positions.
The ruling reinforces the Senate’s discretion in maintaining order during plenary while ensuring that punitive measures are proportionate and within the law.