The Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja has upheld the suspension of the Kogi Central Senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, ruling that the Senate acted within the law in disciplining her.<\/p>\n
In a judgement delivered on Monday, Justice Abba Bello Mohammed held that the Senate possesses the constitutional authority to discipline any erring member in order to maintain order during its proceedings.<\/p>\n
The court ruled that Senator Natasha\u2019s fundamental rights were not breached as claimed in her appeal against the earlier judgement of the Federal High Court.<\/p>\n
The appellate court held that the Senate acted lawfully under Section 66(4) of its Standing Rules when it disciplined the lawmaker following an incident on February 20, 2025, during which she refused to comply with the re-allocation of her seat by the Senate President.<\/p>\n
The court dismissed her claim that she was entitled to prior notice before her seat was changed, stating that the Senate rules do not provide for such notification.<\/p>\n
It added that the senator ought to have complied with the directive to move to the newly assigned seat.<\/p>\n
The Court of Appeal also faulted Senator Natasha\u2019s refusal to appear before the Senate Committee on Ethics, Petitions and Privileges, noting that her action further weakened her case.<\/p>\n
While affirming the suspension, the court, however, set aside the contempt proceedings and the N5 million fine imposed on the senator by the Federal High Court. The appellate court ruled that the failure to serve the required court processes, Forms 48 and 49, rendered the contempt proceedings invalid.<\/p>\n
The court further held that the order earlier made by Justice Obiora Egwuatu was no longer subsisting, as the judge had recused himself from the matter and the case was heard afresh by Justice Binta Nyako.<\/p>\n
\nOverall, the Court of Appeal concluded that the Senate acted within its powers in suspending the lawmaker, but faulted the contempt proceedings and financial penalty imposed on her.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"