The Court of Appeal in Abuja has today, February 9, 2026, affirmed the six-month suspension imposed on Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, the lawmaker representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, ruling that the Senate acted within its constitutional and regulatory powers.
In a unanimous judgment delivered by a three-member panel of Justices, the appellate court held that neither the senator’s parliamentary privileges nor her fundamental rights under the 1999 Constitution (as amended) were violated by the suspension.
The lead judgment, read by Justice A. B. Muhammed, emphasized that the Senate, as a legislative body, possesses the inherent authority to regulate its internal affairs, including disciplining members for misconduct or breach of its standing rules.
The court specifically upheld the Senate’s decision to suspend Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan for six months, effective March 6, 2025, following a plenary session confrontation centered on seat allocation and alleged violation of Senate Rules 2023 (as amended).
The dispute originated on February 20, 2025, when the senator attempted to speak during plenary from a seat that was not officially assigned to her. Senate President Godswill Akpabio denied her the floor, citing the requirement that lawmakers must speak only from their designated seats as stipulated in the Senate Standing Orders.
The appellate court found no fault in the Senate President’s action, stating that he is empowered by the Senate Rules to allocate seats to members and that compliance with allocated seating is a legitimate condition for participation in debates.
However, the Court of Appeal set aside the contempt proceedings and the accompanying N5 million fine previously imposed on Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan. The fine stemmed from a satirical written apology she submitted to the Senate President following the initial altercation. The appellate court determined that the satirical nature of the apology did not constitute sufficient grounds for contempt and vacated both the contempt finding and the monetary penalty.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan had approached the appellate court seeking to overturn the suspension, arguing that it infringed on her right to free speech, her parliamentary immunity, and her entitlement to represent her constituents without undue interference.
The panel rejected these arguments, holding that the suspension was a proportionate disciplinary measure taken in accordance with the Senate’s internal disciplinary procedures. The court stressed that the exercise of such powers by the legislature is not subject to judicial interference except in cases of clear violation of constitutional rights or gross abuse of process—neither of which was established in this instance.
The decision brings some finality to a high-profile intra-legislative dispute that had drawn significant public and media attention since early 2025. The suspension has prevented Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan from participating in Senate proceedings, committee work, or receiving allowances associated with her office for the duration of the penalty.
Legal analysts note that today’s ruling reinforces the principle of legislative autonomy in Nigeria. The courts have historically been reluctant to interfere in the internal workings of the National Assembly unless fundamental rights are demonstrably breached or the action exceeds statutory or constitutional limits.
Following the judgment, Senate spokesperson Senator Yemi Adaramodu described the Court of Appeal’s decision as a “vindication of the Senate’s authority to self-regulate and maintain order and decorum in its proceedings.”
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan has not yet issued a public reaction to the ruling as of the time of this report. Sources close to her indicate she is reviewing the judgment and may consider further legal options, including a possible appeal to the Supreme Court.
The case has highlighted ongoing tensions within the 10th Senate, particularly around gender dynamics, power relations, and adherence to procedural rules. It also underscores the limited scope of judicial oversight over parliamentary discipline in Nigeria’s democratic framework.
The six-month suspension remains in force, meaning Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan will be barred from Senate activities until early September 2025, unless the Senate itself elects to recall or shorten the penalty at a future date.
