RismadarVoice Reporters, February 9, 2026
The Court of Appeal, Abuja Division, on Monday affirmed the suspension of the Senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, ruling that the Senate acted within the confines of the law.
In a unanimous judgment, the appellate court held that the Senate possesses the constitutional, procedural powers to discipline any erring member, adding that Senator Natasha’s fundamental rights were not breached as alleged.
Delivering the lead judgment, Justice Abba Bello Mohammed dismissed the appeal filed by Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan against the earlier decision of the Federal High Court.
He held that Section 66(4) of the Senate Standing Rules clearly empowers the Senate to invoke disciplinary measures to ensure orderliness in its proceedings.
The court found that the Senator acted wrongly during the February 20, 2025 plenary when the Senate President directed her to move to a newly allocated seat, which she refused.
Justice Mohammed further held that the appellant’s claim that she was entitled to prior notice before the re-allocation of her seat was unfounded, as there is no provision in the Standing Rules requiring such notice.
The Court of Appeal also faulted the Federal High Court for assuming jurisdiction in the matter, stating that the lower court ought to have declined jurisdiction after establishing that the Senate acted in accordance with its internal rules permitting the suspension of an erring member.
According to the court, Senator Natasha ought to have complied with the directive to move to the newly assigned seat, noting that the Senate was right to invoke Order Six, Rule Two of its Standing Rules following her persistent refusal to obey the directive.
The court further observed that the appellant’s refusal to appear before the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions weakened her case.
On her claim that the suspension violated an order made by Justice Obiora Egwuatu, the appellate court held that the argument was untenable.
It noted that Justice Egwuatu had recused himself from the matter and that the case subsequently commenced afresh before Justice Binta Nyako, rendering the earlier order no longer subsisting.
