Appeal Court affirms suspension of Natasha

By Nwanze Grace (240912143)

The Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal, on Monday, affirmed the decision of the
Senate to suspend Senator Natasha Akpoti, holding that the red chamber acted within
its powers.
In a unanimous judgment delivered by a three-member panel in Natasha’s appeal
against the Clerk of the National Assembly and three others, marked
CA/ABJ/CV/1107/2025, the appellate court ruled that the suspension did not breach
Akpoti-Uduaghan’s parliamentary privileges or constitutional rights.
However, the court set aside the contempt proceedings and a N5m fine imposed on the
lawmaker over a satirical apology she directed at the Senate President, Godswill
Akpabio.
Delivering the lead judgment, Justice Abba Muhammed held that the Senate President
acted within the Rules by denying Akpoti-Uduaghan the opportunity to speak during
plenary on February 20, 2025, as she was not seated in her officially allotted seat.
The court noted that the Senate President is empowere