The Court of Appeal in Abuja has ruled that the Senate acted within its legal authority when it suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central, for misconduct.
In a unanimous judgment delivered on Monday, February 9, 2026, by a three-member panel, the appellate court expressed satisfaction that neither the lawmaker’s parliamentary privileges nor her constitutional rights were violated by the suspension.
The court did, however, provide a partial victory for the Senator by setting aside the contempt proceedings and the ₦5 million fine previously imposed on her.
These penalties had been awarded following a satirical apology she directed at Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
In the lead verdict, Justice Abba Muhammed held that the Senate President was justified in denying Akpoti-Uduaghan the floor during the plenary session on February 20, 2025.
The court noted that she was not in her officially assigned seat at the time and emphasized that the Senate President is legally empowered to allocate seating.
According to the ruling, lawmakers are strictly required to speak only from the seats specifically designated to them.
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