The Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja on Monday upheld the suspension of the Senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, affirming the Senate’s decision to discipline the lawmaker.
In its ruling, the appellate court held that the Senate possesses the constitutional authority to sanction any member found to have acted contrary to its rules, stressing that Natasha’s fundamental rights were not violated as alleged.
Delivering judgment in the appeal filed by Natasha against an earlier decision of the Federal High Court, Justice Abba Bello Mohammed ruled that Section 66(4) of the Senate Standing Rules empowers the Senate to take disciplinary measures necessary to maintain order and decorum in its proceedings.
The appellate court held that, Senator Natasha was wrong on the February 20, 2025 incident when the Senate President allocated a new seat to her and refused to accept the order.
The Court also said that the claim of Natasha that she was not given prior notice on the change of seat was unattainable because there was no provision for prior notification as she claimed.
In the unanimous judgement, Justice Mohammed said the Federal High Court, in the first instance ought to have declined jurisdiction in entertaining the suit having discovered that the Senate acted in line with the provision that permits it to suspend any erring member.
The Appeal Court said, Senator Natasha, upon being told of the re-allocation of seat, ought to have moved to the new seat, adding that the Senate was right to enforce order six, rule two following her persistent refusal to obey the Senate order.
To worsen the situation, the Court of Appeal held that, the refusal of Senator Natasha to appear before the Senate Committee on Ethics, Petition and Privileges did not help her matter.
Similarly, the Court of Appeal also dismissed Natasha’s claim that her suspension was carried out in violation of an order by Justice Obiora Egwuatu adding that, since Justice Egwuatu recused himself and the matter started afresh by Justice Binta Nyako, the order of Justice Egwuatu was not longer subsisting.
However, the court faulted the contempt charge against Senator Natasha and the N5 million fine imposed on her by Justice Binta Nyako.
According to the Court of Appeal, the failure by the trial court to serve forms 48 and 49 on the Kogi Senator was fatal.
The court consequently set aside the contempt proceedings as well as the N5 million fine imposed on the Kogi Central senator.
