The Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja has confirmed the suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central in the Nigerian Senate. In a unanimous judgment delivered on Monday, February 9, 2026, a three member panel of justices held that the Senate acted within its constitutional and procedural authority when it imposed a six month suspension on the lawmaker over alleged misconduct.
The appellate court ruled that the suspension did not breach Senator Akpoti Uduaghan’s parliamentary privileges or her fundamental constitutional rights.
However, the court overturned the contempt proceedings and the five million naira fine earlier imposed on her by the Federal High Court following a satirical apology she directed at Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
Background of the Suspension
The dispute originated from an incident that occurred on February 20, 2025, during a Senate plenary session. At the sitting, the Senate President reassigned Senator Akpoti Uduaghan’s seat and instructed her to move to a different location.
She declined to comply with the directive and insisted on addressing the chamber from her former seat. As a result, the Senate President refused to grant her the floor, relying on Senate Rules which require lawmakers to speak only from their officially assigned seats.
Her continued refusal to obey the instruction, along with her failure to appear before the Senate Committee on Ethics, Petitions, and Privileges to which the matter had been referred, prompted disciplinary action. The Senate subsequently imposed a six month suspension on her.
Senator Akpoti Uduaghan challenged the suspension before the courts, contending that it violated her rights and parliamentary privileges.
The Federal High Court initially entertained the suit, but aspects of the case, including the contempt findings, were later taken on appeal.
Key Rulings from the Appeal Court
In its decision, the Court of Appeal affirmed the Senate’s authority to discipline its members. In the lead judgment delivered by Justice Abba B. Muhammed, also identified in some reports as A. B. Muhammed or Abba Bello Mohammed, the court held that the Senate is empowered under its Standing Rules, including Section 66(4), to sanction erring lawmakers in order to maintain order and ensure smooth legislative proceedings.
The justices also ruled that the Senate President has the power to allocate seats within the chamber and that prior notice is not required before such changes are made.
The court found that Senator Akpoti Uduaghan was wrong to refuse to move to her newly assigned seat, noting that her action justified the enforcement of Senate orders.
On the issue of rights, the court held that there was no violation of parliamentary privilege or constitutional guarantees. According to the judgment, the senator failed to properly position herself in accordance with Senate procedures to exercise her right to speak.
The appellate court, however, criticized the Federal High Court’s handling of the contempt proceedings. It identified procedural defects, including the failure to properly serve Forms 48 and 49, and on that basis set aside the contempt finding and nullified the five million naira fine imposed on the senator.
The court also dismissed claims that the suspension violated an earlier order made by Justice Obiora Egwuatu. It held that the judge’s recusal from the case and the recommencement of proceedings before Justice Binta Nyako meant that any prior order was no longer in effect.
The appeal, identified as CA ABJ CV 1107 2025, was filed against the Clerk of the National Assembly and other parties.
Implications for Senator Natasha Akpoti Uduaghan
The decision of the Court of Appeal carries far reaching consequences for the suspended lawmaker.
The six month suspension remains in effect, meaning that Senator Akpoti Uduaghan will continue to be barred from participating in Senate sittings, debates, committee assignments, and the receipt of legislative allowances for the duration of the suspension.
This effectively removes her from active legislative duties until the suspension period ends, unless further legal steps alter the outcome.
Politically, the ruling reinforces the authority of the Senate to manage its internal affairs and limits the scope of judicial intervention in legislative discipline, except where clear constitutional violations are established. This outcome may weaken the senator’s standing in ongoing political disputes within the Senate and among her constituents.
The decision nevertheless provides partial relief, as the setting aside of the contempt charge and fine removes the financial burden of the five million naira penalty and clears her of the stigma associated with a contempt finding.
As the judgment was delivered by the Court of Appeal, Senator Akpoti Uduaghan retains the option of approaching the Supreme Court. Any further appeal would depend on her ability to establish substantial errors of law or jurisdiction in the appellate court’s decision.
Beyond the individual case, the ruling strengthens the precedent affirming the autonomy of the National Assembly in regulating its internal conduct, a position that could influence the handling of future disciplinary matters within the legislature.
The Senate has welcomed the judgment, describing it as a validation of its disciplinary powers.
Senator Akpoti Uduaghan and her supporters have continued to frame the case as a struggle against what they view as institutional overreach, although the appellate decision clearly favors the position of the upper legislative chamber.
The ruling represents a significant moment in the high profile confrontation between the senator and the leadership of the Senate, with her suspension now firmly upheld at the appellate level.
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