Appeal court affirms Senate’s suspension of Natasha Akpoti, sets aside N5m fine, contempt charges

The Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal on Monday affirmed the Senate’s decision to suspend Senator Natasha Akpoti, ruling that the upper chamber acted within its constitutional and parliamentary powers.

In a unanimous judgment delivered by a three-member panel in the appeal marked CA/ABJ/CV/1107/2025, the appellate court held that the suspension did not violate Akpoti-Uduaghan’s parliamentary privileges or constitutional rights.

However, the court set aside the contempt proceedings and the N5 million fine imposed on her over a satirical apology directed at Senate President Godswill Akpabio.

Delivering the lead judgment, Abba Muhammed said the Senate President acted within the rules by denying Akpoti the opportunity to speak during plenary on February 20, 2025, because she was not seated in her officially assigned seat.

The court explained that the Senate Rules empower the President to reallocate seats and that members are permitted to speak only from their designated positions.

The court ruled that Natasha was wrong to refuse the reassigned seat and that her claim of not being given prior notice was invalid, as there is no requirement for advance notification.

Justice Muhammed also noted that the Federal High Court should have declined jurisdiction in the first place, as the Senate acted in accordance with its powers to suspend erring members.

The court added that Natasha’s refusal to appear before the Senate Committee on Ethics, Petition, and Privileges further undermined her case.

The Appeal Court also dismissed her argument that the suspension violated an order by Justice Obiora Egwuatu, explaining that since Justice Egwuatu recused himself and the matter restarted before Justice Binta Nyako, the earlier order no longer applied.

On the contempt charges, the court found procedural faults. It held that the trial court’s failure to serve Forms 48 and 49 on the Kogi Senator was fatal and, therefore, set aside both the contempt proceedings and the N5 million fine.