Appeal Court affirms suspension of Natasha

The Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal on Monday upheld the Senate’s decision to suspend Senator Natasha Akpoti, ruling that the upper chamber acted within the scope of its authority.

In a unanimous judgment by a three-member panel in Akpoti’s appeal against the Clerk of the National Assembly and three others (CA/ABJ/CV/1107/2025), the court held that her suspension did not violate her parliamentary privileges or constitutional rights.

However, the appellate court overturned the contempt proceedings and the N5 million fine imposed on the lawmaker over a satirical apology she directed at Senate President Godswill Akpabio.

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Delivering the lead judgment, Justice A. B. Muhammed stated that the Senate President acted in line with the Rules by preventing Akpoti-Uduaghan from speaking during plenary on February 20, 2025, since she was not seated in her officially assigned seat.

The court further noted that the Senate President has the authority under the Senate Rules to reassign seats, and that lawmakers are only permitted to speak from their designated positions.

More details shortly…