The Court of Appeal in Abuja has ruled that the Senate acted within its constitutional powers in suspending the lawmaker representing Kogi Central, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, over misconduct.
In a unanimous decision delivered by a three-member panel of justices, the appellate court held that neither the senator’s parliamentary privilege nor her constitutional rights were violated as a result of the suspension imposed by the Senate.
However, the court set aside the contempt proceedings and the ₦5 million fine earlier awarded against Akpoti-Uduaghan in connection with the satirical apology she issued to Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
The judgment affirms the Senate’s disciplinary authority while removing the financial and contempt penalties previously imposed on the lawmaker.
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