Appeal Court Upholds Suspension of Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan from Nigerian Senate for Misconduct

The Court of Appeal in Abuja upheld the suspension of Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan from the Nigerian Senate by ruling that the Senate acted within its power to suspend her for misconduct. The three-member panel unanimously agreed that Akpoti-Uduaghan failed to prove that her parliamentary privileges and constitutional rights were breached, leading to her suspension.

However, the court vacated a contempt proceeding and a 5 million naira fine that was awarded against the Senate. Akpoti-Uduaghan apologized for her remarks made against the Senate President, Godswil Akpabio.

The Court of Appeal held that the contempt charges were not sustained and that the lower court should not have entertained them. It also clarified that the Senate President was not wrong in denying Akpoti-Uduaghan an official seat during a plenary session on February 20, 2025, as he had the authority to allocate seats and allow members to speak from those seats.