The Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal on Monday upheld the Senate’s suspension of Kogi Central Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
The appellate court determined that the Senate possesses the authority to reprimand any member who transgresses its rules and concluded that Natasha’s fundamental rights were not violated as she claimed.
In adjudicating an appeal lodged by Natasha against the ruling of the Federal High Court, Justice Abba Bello Mohammed determined that, pursuant to Section 66(4) of the Senate’s standing rules, the Senate possesses the authority to implement disciplinary measures to maintain order during its proceedings.
The appeal court determined that Senator Natasha erred in the February 20, 2025 incident when the Senate President assigned her a new seat, which she declined to accept.
The Court stated that Natasha’s assertion regarding the lack of prior notice for the seat change was untenable, as there was no provision for such notification as she alleged.
In the majority judgement, Justice Mohammed stated that the Federal High Court should have initially denied jurisdiction over the suit upon realising that the Senate acted in accordance with the statute allowing it to suspend any errant member.
The Appeal Court stated that Senator Natasha, upon notification of the seat reallocation, should have relocated to the new seat, asserting that the Senate was justified in enforcing Order Six, Rule Two due to her continued noncompliance with the Senate directive.
The Court of Appeal determined that Senator Natasha’s unwillingness to appear before the Senate Committee on Ethics, Petition and Privileges exacerbated her plight.
The Court of Appeal similarly rejected Natasha’s assertion that her suspension contravened an order issued by Justice Obiora Egwuatu, noting that since Justice Egwuatu recused himself and the case was reassigned to Justice Binta Nyako, his order was no longer in effect.
The court criticised the contempt charge against Senator Natasha and the N5 million penalty imposed on her by Justice Binta Nyako.
The Court of Appeal determined that the trial court’s omission to serve forms 48 and 49 to the Kogi Senator was detrimental.
The Court consequently annulled the entire proceedings and the N5 million penalty levied against the Kogi Senator.