The Court of Appeal, Abuja Division, on Monday affirmed the suspension of the Kogi Central Senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, by the Senate.
![](https://thenigerialawyer.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/SADR.jpeg")
![](https://thenigerialawyer.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/TheNigerialawyer-WhatsApp-Channel1.jpg")
The appellate court held that the Senate has the power to discipline any erring member and that, in the instant case, Akpoti-Uduaghan’s fundamental rights were not breached as alleged.
Delivering the unanimous judgment of a three-member panel in an appeal filed by Akpoti-Uduaghan against the judgment of the Federal High Court, Abuja, Justice Abba Bello Mohammed held that, by virtue of Section 66(4) of the Senate Standing Rules, the Senate is empowered to invoke disciplinary measures to ensure orderliness in its proceedings.
The court further held that the senator acted wrongly during the February 20, 2025 incident when the Senate President reallocated a new seat to her and she refused to comply with the directive.
It also dismissed Akpoti-Uduaghan’s claim that she was not given prior notice of the seat change, noting that there is no provision in the Senate Standing Rules requiring prior notification for such action.
In the unanimous judgment, Justice Mohammed stated that the Federal High Court ought, in the first instance, to have declined jurisdiction after establishing that the Senate acted in accordance with its rules, which permit the suspension of any erring member.
The Court of Appeal held that Akpoti-Uduaghan, upon being informed of the seat reallocation, ought to have complied, adding that the Senate was right to invoke Order Six, Rule Two, following her persistent refusal to obey the directive.
The court further noted that her refusal to appear before the Senate Committee on Ethics, Petitions and Privileges did not help her case.
Similarly, the appellate court dismissed her claim that the suspension was carried out in violation of an order of Justice Obiora Egwuatu of the Federal High Court, holding that since Justice Egwuatu had recused himself and the matter commenced afresh before Justice Binta Nyako, the earlier order was no longer subsisting.
However, the court faulted the contempt charge against the senator and the ₦5 million fine imposed on her by Justice Nyako.
According to the Court of Appeal, the failure of the trial court to serve Forms 48 and 49 on the senator was fatal to the contempt proceedings, and it accordingly set aside both the proceedings and the ₦5 million fine.
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE FOR LAWYERS: A COMPREHENSIVE GUIDE
Reimagine your practice with the power of AI “...this is the only Nigerian book I know of on the topic.” — Ohio Books Ltd
Authored by Ben Ijeoma Adigwe, Esq., ACIArb (UK), LL.M, Dip. in Artificial Intelligence, Director, Delta State Ministry of Justice, Asaba, Nigeria.
Bonus:
Get a FREE eBook titled “How to Use the AI in Legalpedia and Law Pavilion” with every purchase.
How to Order: 📞 Call, Text, or WhatsApp: 08034917063 | 07055285878 📧 Email: benadigwe1@gmail.com 🌐 Website: www.benadigwe.com
Ebook Version: Access directly online at: https://selar.com/prv626
________________________________________________________________________ The Law And Practice Of Redundancy In Nigeria: A Practitioner’s Guide, Authored By A Labour & Employment Law Expert Bimbo Atilola
_______________________________________________________________________
New Year Promo: Get Five Maritime Law Books For N150,000 — 63% Discount
The promotion, which commenced on January 8 and runs until February 8, 2026, offers five core maritime law books authored by Dr. Emeka Akabogu, SAN, ordinarily valued at N405,000, for just N150,000 — a 63% discount.
Interested buyers can place their orders through the following channels:
Phone: 0704 329 3271
Online Store: https://paystack.shop/aa-bookstore
Website: www.akabogulaw.com
______________________________________________________________________
